Separating Church and State: How the Aurora Decision Failed Transgender Students

[Shana A]

Jen Richards
Creator, WeHappyTrans.com

Separating Church and State: How the Aurora Decision Failed Transgender Students
Posted: 10/31/2012 7:19 pm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jen-richards/aurora-transgender-policy_b_2051949.html

On October 15, 2012, the board of Aurora East District 13, a high school in the western suburbs of Chicago, unanimously voted to adopt a policy that had been crafted by the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, in consultation with Assistant Superintendent Christine Aird and parents in the district, and had been vetted by legal counsel. This policy would allow students who consistently presented in a given gender to use the appropriate bathrooms, play on the congruent sports teams, and have their correct name and pronouns be used in the classroom. At the time, board members had no objection.

Given the endemic issue of bullying, and the dramatically disproportionate rates of suicide attempts for transgender youth, such a policy would seem a nonissue. The very next day, however, the Illinois Family Institute issued a statement in opposition to the decision. They further encouraged parents and community members to convey objections to the school board, stating:

    This is a biased, radical, and offensive school board decision that all Illinois taxpayers -- especially Aurora community members with or without children in school -- should vigorously and tenaciously oppose.

The release included a link to send an email to the members of the East Aurora High School Board of Education "asking them to immediately repeal their misguided decision to promote fraud."

[justmeinoz]

Perhaps some of the non-Cristian school families should ask them to keep their religion to themselves as they find it offensive?  I assume they are a Church based group.

[tekla]

Courage.  Vision.  Bravery.  Coolly choosing what is right over what's expedient.

If you don't' have any of those qualities, you should run for school board.  You'll fit right in.

[Laura91]

Perhaps some of the non-Cristian school families should ask them to keep their religion to themselves as they find it offensive?  I assume they are a Church based group.

Indeed! I get sick of religious groups sticking their delusional noses in everyone else's business.

[Vicky]

Actually many Christians ARE PISSED at this group and its goals.  I'm one of 'em.

[The Wagoneer]

one of my favorite words  Antidisestablishmentarianisim