Trustees again hear split on gender diversity rules

Board gets first look at language of draft policy

Formal guidelines for how Clark County schools should handle students with diverse gender expressions moved one step closer to becoming reality Thursday, as trustees looked over draft policy language for the first time.

As in previous meetings, the discussion elicited high turnout and lengthy public comment from people on both sides of the issue. No action from trustees was expected Thursday night, and the policy is expected to come back for a final vote later. Trustees were just starting to discuss the language at 10 p.m., after about two hours of public comment.

Proponents of the policy urged swift action by the Clark County School Board, saying it’s time to put the policy in place and move on. “We have beat this horse to

GENDER

death; let’s move on and decide what actions can be taken for those who have concerns,” said Laura Hernandez, the family services coordinator for Gender Justice Nevada and the mother of a transgender student.

At the same time that proponents urged swift action, those against the policy told the board to take a step back.

“I do not see anti-discrimination safeguards in this policy that protect the right of my child,” said Jennifer Ferry, who said she had an 8-yearold daughter. “I see an opportunity to step back and work together.”

But Holly Welborn, policy director

for ACLU of Nevada, said that transgender students are operating without equal rights.

“Until this passes, our trans students are living in a school environment where they don’t have equal rights. That’s why this policy is so important,” she said.

Parents who oppose the policy repeatedly told the board they felt

their suggestions and concerns were not being heard by the board, as evident by the draft policy.

“We want to be heard and we want to have a say. That does not make me a bigot, that does not make me hateful,” said Mindy Davies, who identified herself as a mother.

The district’s draft policy comes after state Superintendent of Instruction Steve Canavero signed off last month on the state’s policy and sent it to an interim legislative committee for final approval.

The state policy serves as a general guideline that districts must follow as they set their own policies.

Clark County school officials began gathering input on the topic before the state did, creating a working group in July after the law took effect.

At both the state and district levels, the subject of gender diversity has proved to be a lightning rod, with public comment lasting hours each time it came up. Advocates say the policy is necessary to provide consistent treatment of students at all schools, while opponents say such a policy would violate the rights of other students in some cases.