Haverford urged to act for transgendered students
Advocates have no complaints, but want a standard stance on the issue
The board of school directors found themselves thrust into the center of the transgender rights debate last week, when members of the grassroots Havertown Area Community Action Network and supporters filled the board room at Oakmont School to advocate for a district-wide policy on the issue.
A half-dozen speakers addressed the school board on the issue, with network member Jean Lutes prefacing her statement by acknowledging that Haverford has a strong guidance curriculum, clubs like the Gay Straight Alliance, and empathetic teachers who strive to accommodate all students.
However, these teachers are doing so on a case by case basis, “without clear guidance set at the highest level. We believe we’ve reached a moment when it’s time to take the next step in our approach to students who are gender non-conforming … We should have a comprehensive, districtwide policy on transgender rights,” said Lutes.
The term transgender refers to persons whose gender identity, gender expression or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth.
Lutes cited a 2016 study by the Williams Institute indicating that 1.4 million adults in the U.S. now identify as transgender, a number that’s doubled from a decade ago.
Young adults 18-24 are more likely to identify as such.
Additionally, “We know that rates of attempted suicide among transgender people are higher than 40 percent, particularly when they’re in a situation where they’re not supported.”
Lutes said the Havertown Area Community Action Network is requesting that officials add specific language regarding “gender identity” and “gender expression” to current anti-harassment policy, which includes only “sexual orientation.”
Additionally, the group is asking officials to gather information on what’s happening in the district regarding gender non-conformity to get a clear view of students’ experiences and needs.
Lastly, Lutes asked officials to establish a committee that includes community representatives to draft transgender policy.
Without such policy, teachers and administrators must operate without clear guidelines, while students and parents may not know their rights, said network member Karen Vitale.
“Both sides are flying blind and that leaves everyone more vulnerable … With policies in place everyone has a clear sense of how to proceed within set parameters,” Vitale said.
Vitale further argued that such policies make LGBT students more likely to report mistreatment to school authorities, who are more likely to respond effectively.
Joanne Glusman, president of Main Line Youth Alliance, said neighboring districts like Lower Merion, Radnor, Marple Newtown and Great Valley have adopted transgender policies. School directors received information packets that included copies of Lower Merion’s policy, along with material from Gender Spectrum and the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s Safe Space Kit.
In addition to addressing rest room/locker room issues, Lower Merion’s transgender policy includes guidelines for use of names and pronouns corresponding to a student’s gender identity. It calls for genderneutral dress code/uniform policies. And, there are requirements for staff training and professional development, as well as for incorporating education and training about gender expansive and transgender students into curriculum.
Glusman indicated that the matter has become even more urgent due to a “dramatic increase in hateful comments and threats” since the presidential elections. She expressed concern regarding recent guidance by the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education eliminating protections that allowed transgender youth in public schools to use restrooms corresponding with their gender identity, and noted that the American Academy of Pediatrics has opposed this decision.
Glusman noted, too, that 19 health organizations have filed briefs supporting Gavin Grimm, a transgender student who sued over his right to use the boys’ bathroom at his Virginia school.
Network member Sarah McCafferty said silence can be interpreted as support for discrimination. She urged officials to speak out and take action by implementing policies to include transgender students’ rights to use restrooms corresponding to their gender identity.
School board President Denis Gray expressed appreciation for those who came out and said the board takes comments “very seriously.”
“It’s our goal to have every child feel safe and comfortable in this school district.”
School director Phil Hopkins maintained that Haverford has been ahead of the curve with an antibullying/anti-harassment policy intended to cover all forms of harassment. He agreed, however, on the value of a statement that would provide more clarity to teachers and students.
Gray said the board must follow procedure that calls for reviewing a proposed policy at a minimum of two meetings before voting at a third session.
Though she could not attend the meeting, Schools Superintendent Maureen Reusche subsequently conferred with network members. Reusche issued a statement confirming that the district is “undergoing a process to review current policy documents “to ensure our current language is inclusive of all of our students. We are also examining policies other area districts … have adopted.”
Vitale described the meeting as very positive. “It seems that our voices were heard and there was no adversarial relationship … we’re going to continue to make our voices heard.”
Speaking from personal experience, Meg Clark,a parent in the district, said in an email statement that schools were supportive and willing to train staff to deal with her family’s personal needs.
However, “my concern is that other families dealing with this shouldn’t have to reinvent the wheel ... I’d like to see the schools be more pro-active about students on the gender spectrum by providing ongoing professional development for staff and education for all students, reflected in health care classes, library programs and assemblies.”
Clark said she feels compassion for students “who are stealth even to their families. Having to stand in the line as a boy when you identify as female can be painful. To attend graduation where boys wear red gowns and girls wear yellow can cause a sense of shame and embarrassment for a gender variant student. Something so simple as having all graduates wear the same color can be powerful.”
Without such policy, teachers and administrators must operate without clear guidelines, while students and parents may not know their rights, said network member Karen Vitale.