Transgender* Narratives in High School Speech and Debate

By Cobin G. Szymanski

CW: R*pe, Transphobia

Abstract

In this narrative-based research study, we explore the transgender* experience in high school speech and debate, a microcosm of the secondary education environment. Instead of focusing on competitive success differentials, we choose to analyze the emotional, social, and psychological effects the high school speech and debate community inflicts upon transgender* competitors. While high school speech and debate is widely regarded as an LGBTQ+ positive space, through our research, we document minority groups within the LGBTQ+ community that are left behind. Finally, we proscribe various solutions to be adopted at the local, state, and national levels.

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