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Lift Every Voice
Lift E ve r y Vo i ce

can’t be trusted to be alone with “women” or “girls” in with others of a different gender identity (it is more of
private without something romantic or sexual in nature a quasi-social inclusion instead of full inclusion), and
occurring. While this can be true for cisgender, straight others in the room may feel uncomfortable. There still
people, it does not take into account the existence of may be claims of impropriety (particularly from those
those who are LGBTQ+ (including TGE people). Be who conflate sexual orientation and gender identity)
prepared to have a greater probability of receiving and this option may violate the law/policy in more
complaints of “impropriety” when those with differing liberal areas that have protections in place for TGE
ASABs are placed in the same room by these parents or people.
guardians, despite the reality that “improper” behavior
is not bound by ASAB.
Rooming Option #3: The TGE singer has their
Rooming Option #1: The TGE singer rooms own room for the trip (with the financial dif-
with friends based on gender identity instead of ference paid by the choral program not by the
ASAB. (Ex: A trans girl rooms with other girls) singer/singer’s family).

Pros: This is typically a preferred option for TGE sing- Pros: The singer gets to have their own private room,
ers. Their gender is affirmed, they are treated similarly there is no worry of potential bullying, discomfort, or
to their peers, they still get to have the social experience accusations of impropriety, and the director does not
of rooming with others, and they’re not excluded. have to have any conversations with other parents
(choral educators do not have to get administrators in-
Potential Cons: Some students or parents may express dis- volved).
comfort or levy accusations of impropriety, and there
may be legislation or policies—particularly for choral Potential Cons: The singer may feel isolated, alienated,
educators—that prohibit this option. The Family Edu- or excluded, other students or parents may say that it’s
cational Rights and Privacy Act, FERPA (for those to “unfair” when they find out, the director has to navi-
whom it applies to) may forbid you from disclosing as- gate the financials of making up the cost difference for
pects of a choral student’s transgender status, including the solo room (it is not ethical to charge a student extra
their medical history, birth name, or ASAB. because of their gender identity), and the singer misses
out on a social element of the trip.

Rooming Option #2: The TGE singer rooms
with friends based on ASAB instead of gender Rooming Option #4: The TGE singer rooms
identity. (Ex: A trans girl rooms with cis boys) with a family member in the choir or with their
parent or guardian, who helps chaperone the
Pros: This can circumvent any additional steps of dis- trip.
closure, or for educators, having to contact adminis-
tration since the ASABs in the room will “match up.” Pros: The TGE singer isn’t alone in their room, there
The singer still experiences the social elements of being will be no accusations of impropriety, and it will min-
with other members of the ensemble and the director imize the chance of others saying it’s “unfair,” since
will more than likely not have to navigate parental an- rooming with family—especially parents—isn’t always
ger since this is the cisnormative and heteronormative considered fun. The director does not have to have any
“standard.” conversations with other parents (choral educators do
not have to get administrators involved), and there’s a
Potential Cons: The singer’s gender is not affirmed, they built-in chaperone for the trip.
may feel extremely uncomfortable or out of place being

58 CHORAL JOURNAL November/December 2024 Volume 65 Number 4