Stow-munroe Falls schools back LGBTQ+ pride
The Stow-munroe Falls School Board passed a resolution officially recognizing LGBTQ+ Pride and History months throughout the district.
As part of the resolution that was unanimously passed late last month, each school within the district will have a designated liaison to provide support for LGBTQ+ student groups, including Gay-straight Alliances or Gender and Sexuality Alliances.
The liaison also will ensure that counselors are able to provide a welcoming space for students to discuss any concerns or other issues.
The district is recognizing June as Pride Month but also focusing on LGBTQ+ History Month in October, when students are in school.
“The district is committed to maintaining safe, healthy and welcoming learning environments for all members of our community including the LGBTQIA+ community or those who may be perceived as such,” the resolution reads. “Creating a welcoming and safe school environment for our LGBTQIA+ students, staff, families and caregivers makes our school community more welcoming and safe to all.”
Stow Collaboration for Change members Aaron Yeager and Rachel Jamison read a statement to the board during its June 28 meeting from an anonymous parent of a student who recently came out as nonbinary.
In the statement, the parent urges the board for more accountability for bullying and harassment against marginalized communities.
In an interview, the parent, who asked to remain anonymous for the safety and privacy of their 10-year-old child who is not out publicly yet, said homophobia and racism has been an issue within the school district since they attended Stow-munroe Falls High School nearly two decades ago.
“I have mixed emotions about the resolution,” she said. “A resolution is just a bunch of pretty words to make students and parents feel supported but I doubt anything will change.”
School Board Member Pamela Wind introduced the resolution during a June 6 work session.
“I want students and the community to see that the board is accepting of LGBTQ+ folks,” Wind said in an interview. “There is so much out there giving them this message that they are not safe. We want to counter that at a local level where we can.”
Wind said the resolution also calls for more books and other learning materials that portray diversity and LGBTQ+ figures in a positive light. In addition, the board reaffirmed its action from May to use gender-affirming language.
Wind said she introduced the resolution to recognize Pride Month and
LGBTQ History because of “recent ANTILGBTQ actions” and legislation. Specifically, she noted Ohio House Bill 616, which would ban schools from teaching young children about gender, sexuality and racism as well as other legislation.
“There are a lot of things going on at the state level that can make our LGBTQ youth feel unsafe. Not just unsupported but unsafe and targeted,” she said.
Wind said ANTI-LGBTQ issues happen locally as well. During a studentled Pride week in April, flags and other decorations were torn down leaving community members upset and scared.
“One of the reasons (my child) has not come out yet is because the people they go to school with don’t know what nonbinary or transgender means,” the parent said.
The parent said she was eager to see whether changes would be made in the school district and hoped students would start learning about LGBTQ+ people at a younger age.
“(My child) knows already that who they are is not going to be accepted by some people,” she said. “But if you don’t accept, at least try to understand.”
Reporter Molly Walsh can be reached at mwalsh@gannett.com