Just like anyone else…

By Kirsten Bokenkamp From balancing academic requirements with extracurricular activities and a social life, to managing relationships with parents, teachers, and friends -- students have a lot on their plates.  One thing they should never have to worry about is where they can find a safe bathroom.  Unfortunately, many transgender students face this very issue. Gavin Grimm, a transgender student in Gloucester County Public Schools, identifies as male.  Up until now, he has been using the men’s bathroom at school because it aligns with his gender identity.  However, some school board members are trying to pass a motion that would require Gavin to stop using the men’s bathroom and locker room, and instead provide him with an alternative private facility. In the eyes of Equality Virginia such a policy is discriminatory, unacceptable, and illegal under Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972. Because so few people personally know a transgender person, it can be hard to understand what it means to be transgender. Transgender is an adjective describing a person whose gender identity is different from that traditionally associated with an assigned sex at birth. At the end of the day, kids like Gavin just want to be seen for who they are.  Like any other student, those who identify as transgender want to go about their lives, socialize with their friends, and use the bathroom like anyone else. Treating transgender students equally not only shows them that they matter, it also creates the space for a caring, respectful, and diverse school environment. Transgender inclusive policies are good for everyone.  Instead of implementing a policy that needlessly singles out transgender students, the Gloucester County School Board should consider a policy (and there are plenty of model policies to choose from) that fosters an educational environment that is safe and free from discrimination for all students. This issue matters.  According to the most recent GLSEN School Climate Survey, Virginia schools were not safe for LGBT students.  Being verbally or physically harassed or not feeling safe at school has consequences.  On a national level, 78 percent of transgender students in grades K-12 experience harassment, and 15 percent leave school because that harassment is so severe.  Sadly, more than half of the students who have been harassed, physically or sexually assaulted, or expelled because of their gender identity have attempted suicide.  As this research shows, Virginia school divisions should be doing everything in their power to make their schools more welcoming, not more alienating. Inclusive policies at our public schools will not make misunderstanding, bullying, or harassment magically disappear. But, it is an important a start.   It is the job of school boards to protect all children.  The motion put in front of the Gloucester County School Board would do the opposite. In the short term, the board must vote against this discriminatory and counterproductive policy.   In the long term, Gloucester County, and others across the Commonwealth, should implement policies ensuring that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students are treated with respect and dignity.  And, the Virginia Department of Education should issue uniform guidance to help make that happen. Gavin, and other transgender youth, have dreams to fulfill.  They have their whole lives in front of them – we must do everything we can to lift them up, and help them live their lives to the fullest.