Paula Grossman (1919–2003): A History of Trans Resistance in Music Education

• In Event: Intersections of Policy and Music Education

Abstract

After 31 years of teaching, music educator Paula Grossman (1919–2003) was fired after she transitioned in 1971. Undeterred, Grossman fought for her rights as a trans woman and a music educator through the state and federal court systems. Although she never returned to the classroom, Mrs. Grossman used her skills as an educator to become a mentor within the trans community and public activist for trans rights. In this presentation, I identify how the arguments used to exclude Grossman from the classroom are related to currently transphobic arguments in politics and education. I also use Grossman’s example of trans resistance to identify how music educators in the present may use remedy and repair to support trans colleagues and students.

Author

• Austin Norrid, Ohio University