This policy would have had an enormous impact on the lives of the school’s transgender and gender non-conforming students, a change that our youth desperately need. According to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) 90% of transgender youth reported feeling unsafe in their school because of their gender identity and 63% because of their gender expression. These statistics reinforce the obligation towards tolerance of diversity that needs to be set by school administrators and officials within schools through school policies.
“The board’s decision to rescind the policy threatens the safety of our Transgender students and students may not conform to gender norms,” stated Anthony Martinez, Executive Director of The Civil Rights Agenda. “We should take the necessary steps toward overturning this decision. Health, safety, and wellness are human rights entitled to all individuals regardless of gender expression or identity and must be upheld in order to promote and provide a safe space for transgender and gender non-conforming students in the East Aurora Public Schools.”
Two great pieces on why East Aurora needs to stand up for its trans students:
Scout, "Science, Not Politics, Needs to Guide Policies Protecting Trans Youth": http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scout-phd/science-not-politics-needs-to-guide-policies-protecting-trans-youth_b_1987280.html
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