New guidance from the Mat-Su Borough School District says transgender students may use whichever bathroom matches what they consistently present themselves to be at school, as far as their gender identity goes.
“For the purposes of these guidelines, a student will be considered transgender if, at school, he/she consistently asserts a gender identity or expression different from the gender assigned at birth. This involves more than a casual declaration of gender identity or expression, but it does not necessarily require a medical diagnosis,” the new district policy states.
As the contagion of gender identity confusion rages through the public schools across the nations, districts are having to come up with policies that protect all students, including those who are insisting they are a different gender than what their biological reality is. Thus, it is part of a trend for students to change their names to something either more boyish or more girlish. Many schools are keeping these changes secret for parents.
The Mat-Su Borough School District appears ready to honor transgendering, regardless of what parents may say:
“To the extent that the school is not required to use a student’s legal name or gender on school records or other documents, the school should use the name and gender identified in the student’s plan.
“Names/Pronouns: A student who has been identified as transgender under these guidelines should be addressed by school staff and other students by the name and pronoun corresponding to their gender identity that is consistently asserted at school.
“Restrooms: A student who has been identified as transgender under these guidelines should be permitted to use the restrooms assigned to the gender, which the student consistently asserts at school. A transgender student who expresses a need for privacy will be provided with reasonable alternative facilities or accommodations such as using a separate stall or a staff facility. However, a student shall not be required to use a separate gender-neutral facility over his/her objection.”
The district is especially concerned about accommodating the students’ preferences, protecting student privacy and the comfort of students in using locker rooms:
“Generally, transgender students will be permitted to use the locker room assigned to the gender the student consistently asserts at school. A transgender student will not be required to use a locker room that conflicts with the gender identity consistently asserted at school,” the policy reads.
