Michigan School District Rescinds Transgender Policy Fearing Backlash

Over the last couple of years there has been a serious push for transgender rights around the country and protecting them from harassment, abuse, and giving them access to resources and bathrooms. There have been tons of talk about when it is appropriate for these topics to be discussed in school if at all, when surgeries are acceptable, and more surrounding the sensitive topic.

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Fearing Backlash; Michigan School District Rescinds Transgender Policy

The topics that are discussed the most in reference to transgender rights are their access and right to play sports, their access to bathrooms, and resources, protections in schools and other places. Some people stand on one side of the fence while others clearly stand on the side, but there is still a small group of people that could careless because it doesn't affect them in any way.

Many schools and states have been supporting transgender students and faculty to make sure they feel welcomed and included within their schools. As many of us know, schools and many other businesses have been under fire after President Donald Trump signed several executive orders just hours into his inauguration. He stated that these companies would lose funding if they were in violation of any of these orders.

Some of those orders had to do with transgender rights in sporting events and other parts of the school that deal with transgender rights and resources. One school district in Michigan has been discussing some policy changes and rescindments to avoid any backlash or consequences from President Trump and his administration.

The Board of Trustees for Comstock Public Schools in Southwest Michigan has rescinded a policy protecting transgender students. Policy 5106 defined gendered terminology and outlined policies on harassment, student records and restroom access for transgender students. Two of the seven board members voted against rescinding the policy after the district discussed an “attorney-client privilege communication”.

Board President Pamela Dickinson says:

“The rescinding of this policy is not expected to affect the acceptance or respect of our students nor the mental well-being in their educational journey”

Comstock Public Schools says they will continue to develop gender support plans for students and students can still use the bathroom corresponding with their gender identity. Staff members were prohibited from disclosing a student’s gender identity to their parents or other staff members in accordance with the Educational Rights and Privacy Act.