Mentor Text E

Now that we are in the year of 2022, diversity in sexuality and gender (as well as many other categories) is more common than not. However, just because it is more normalized in today's times, doesn't mean everyone is accepting of this new norm. The author, Tori Truscheit, writes for Buzzfeed News and has done several articles covering LGBTQ+ topics. In this specific article, Trusheit discusses the story of Pia Cruz, of whom she knows. Trusheit incorporates statistics on the heartbreaking realities of a decent amount of teenagers are homeless: 40% are queer or trans. The text then continues in stating that "the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development proposed that homeless shelters be allowed to deny access to trans people, overriding the 2012 Equal Access rule that bans discrimination in public housing, federally funded shelters, and federally backed mortgages on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and marital status." After reading this, it is clear that Trusheit is writing to promote awareness about the heartache and harsh realities trans people face as a result of embracing and identifying who they are. It is okay and healthy for people to have varying opinions and perspectives, as long as they are respectful to others regarding the issue. What this article addresses though, is that many families of someone who is trans looks at them completely differently, acts differently, and don't recognize them as they once did - as a human being, son/daughter, etc. It also is very expensive to be trans in general, which I think this article does a great job about not only addressing, but expanding and sharing on those details and realities. Even now, I have a new understanding on this issue which is exactly what I think the author's intentions were. Overall, I think this mentor text has taught me/others reading it that it is important to show and empathize with different perspectives and backgrounds when composing a piece (that is what Trusheit did as she told the story of Cruz).