A Texas school has created rules to protect transgender students from discrimination -- but only if the students' parents support their identity.
The new plan involves working with parents to create an education plan customized to each individual transgender student's needs, but if the parents don't support the child's gender identity, they will not be accommodated.
The new plan is dangerous for students whose parents are not aware of or do not support that student's transgender identity. The plan would "out" students to their parents, putting them at risk for abuse and rejection such as being kicked out of their home.
Transgender students may not be ready to come out to parents. Like all students, they typically depend on their parents for shelter and financial support, and revealing their gender identity could put them in danger. This doesn't mean that they shouldn't receive protection and support from adults at school. Please sign the petition to urge Fort Worth Independent School District to revise their plan so that parents don't have to be involved in supporting transgender students' educational needs.
I am glad that your school has created a plan to protect transgender students from discrimination. Still, I am concerned that students may not receive support if their parents don't know about or approve of their transgender identity.
I understand that your plan involves working with parents to create an education plan customized to each individual transgender student's needs, but if the parents don't support the child's gender identity, they will not be accommodated.
The new plan is dangerous for students whose parents are not aware of or do not support that student's transgender identity. The plan would "out" students to their parents, putting them at risk for abuse and rejection such as being kicked out of their home.
Transgender students may not be ready to come out to parents. Like all students, they typically depend on their parents for shelter and financial support, and revealing their gender identity could put them in danger. This doesn't mean that they shouldn't receive protection and support from adults at school. I respectfully urge you to revise your plan so that parents don't have to be involved in supporting transgender students' educational needs. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this petition.
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