American Educational Research Association (AERA) President Dr. Shaun R. Harper and executive director Dr. Felice J. Levine have released a statement against transphobia and in support of transgender and non-binary persons ahead of the AERA 2021 annual virtual meeting that kicks off this week.
The theme of this year’s meeting is “Accepting Educational Responsibility.”
“On the eve of our first-ever virtual conference, we call for AERA members and all others who work in education to accept responsibility for transphobic attitudes, cultures, practices, and policies that threaten and inflict harm on transgender and non-binary students and educators,” the statement read. “Our efforts should include, but not be limited to schools, colleges, and universities. We also must use what we know to eradicate transphobia in our larger society.”
The statement notes how several states are considering laws educationally harmful to transgender citizens and how educators and researchers are calling for the Biden Administration to combat transphobic laws.
The statement also asked AERA members to use their connections and work for justice for transgender and non-binary persons.
“We have an immediate responsibility to extend the reach of our research expertise on gender, trans people’s experiences and outcomes, public policy, and related topics beyond conference papers, scholarly symposia, and academic journals,” the statement read. “Research organizations like ours have the expertise and data that matter.”