The
Mass. Dept. of Education just released new guidelines, Guidance
for Massachusetts Public Schools Creating a Safe and Supportive School
Environment Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity, (in .pdf and .doc formats) which
are designed to ease the lives of some public school students and make their
school environment safer and more conducive to learning. The guidelines are meant to help schools
comply with An
Act Relative to Gender Identity, St. 2011, c.199, effective July 1,
2012. The Act prohibits gender based on
discrimination in employment, housing public education, and credit and lending.
The new guidelines compel schools to develop plans to be
accommodating and welcoming to transgender students, before the need arises,
and recommendations in the guidelines include:
-
use the names and pronouns students have chosen for
themselves;
-
ensure students can access restrooms, locker rooms, and
changing facilities that correspond to their gender identity and provide a safe
alternative such as single “unisex” restroom;
-
adjust dress codes to be gender-neu8tral, including events
like prom and graduation; and,
-
incorporate gender identity into anti-bullying curriculum,
student leadership training and staff professional development.
