Tell the St. Mary's County Board of Education: Adopt the Inclusive Schools Resolution
Karin M Bailey, Chairman District 3; Cathy Allen, Vice Chairman at Large; Mary M Washington, District 4; James J Davis, District 2; Dorothy Andrews, District 1; Hannah Heisler, Student Board Member; J. Scott Smith, Secretary/Treasurer;
Roughly one-quarter of high school students are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and/or non-binary (commonly abbreviated "LGBTQ+"). Because they spend many of their waking hours in school, an accepting environment is crucial for the well-being of LGBTQ+ students. Research from The Trevor Project has consistently shown that students who experience bullying related to their gender or sexuality are at increased risk for mental health concerns and that “LGBTQ students are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide compared to their straight and cisgender peers.” Meanwhile those students "who found their school and home to be LGBTQ-affirming reported lower rates of suicide."
Despite this, politicians with nothing of substance to offer have chosen to make schools the battleground for their culture war. They are scapegoating this vulnerable population of children and educators in order to divide and conquer the working class and win cheap votes from manufactured outrage.
In the interest of working-class unity, and in defense of our LGBTQ+ neighbors, the Southern Maryland Democratic Socialists of America are asking all community members to sign and share this petition urging the St. Mary's County Board of Education to adopt our "Inclusive Schools Resolution" to protect and defend the safety and dignity of LGBTQ+ students and staff, and to foster a safe, inclusive and impactful learning environment for ALL students.
Our demands are as follows:
All students have the right to be addressed by a name and pronoun that corresponds to their gender identity, and the right to mask their deadnames in gradebook and LMS programs.
All faculty and staff have the right to be addressed by a name, pronoun, and honorific (Ms, Mrs, Mr, Mx, etc.) that corresponds to their gender identity, and for that name, pronoun, and honorific to be used on all school publications.
Official SMCPS communications, including new-hire paperwork, will use gender-inclusive terminology when practicable.
No student shall be required to use facilities that do not correspond with their gender identity, or to use facilities where there is a credible fear of them suffering harm due to their gender identity.
Staff should not be required to report students to their parents or guardians for preferring a name or pronouns which affirm their gender identity
Students have the right to form LGBTQ+ organizations. LGBTQ+ student organizations have the same right to meeting space, display space, and publicity as any other student organizations.
SMCPS teacher and staff training shall include content on how to speak appropriately about LGBTQ+ topics and on the the high risk of suicide for LGBTQ+ youth who are not affirmed.
SMCPS curriculum for students shall incorporate age-appropriate content on gender inclusive support into instruction developed according to the Maryland Comprehensive Health Education Framework and include inclusive terminology in science instruction that concerns transgender and intersex bodies.
LGBTQ+ students and staff have the same right to respectful and appropriate discussion of their identity, relationship status, and family structure as cisgender and heterosexual students and staff.
Sponsored by
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To:
Karin M Bailey, Chairman District 3; Cathy Allen, Vice Chairman at Large; Mary M Washington, District 4; James J Davis, District 2; Dorothy Andrews, District 1; Hannah Heisler, Student Board Member; J. Scott Smith, Secretary/Treasurer;
From:
[Your Name]
We, the undersigned parents, students, alumni and community members of St. Mary's County Public Schools call upon the Board of Education of St. Mary's County, Maryland to adopt the following demands (The "LGBTQ+ Bill of Rights) to protect and defend the safety and dignity of LGBTQ+ students and faculty.
1) All students have the right to be addressed by a name and pronoun that corresponds to their gender identity, and the right to mask their deadnames in gradebook and LMS programs.
2) All faculty and staff have the right to be addressed by a name, pronoun, and honorific (Ms, Mrs, Mr, Mx, etc.) that corresponds to their gender identity, and for that name, pronoun, and honorific to be used on all school publications.
3) Official SMCPS communications, including new-hire paperwork, will use gender-inclusive terminology when practicable.
4) No student shall be required to use facilities that do not correspond with their gender identity, or to use facilities where there is a credible fear of them suffering harm due to their gender identity.
5) Staff should not be required to report students to their parents or guardians for preferring a name or pronouns which affirm their gender identity
6) Students have the right to form LGBTQ+ organizations. LGBTQ+ student organizations have the same right to meeting space, display space, and publicity as any other student organizations.
7) SMCPS teacher and staff training shall include content on how to speak appropriately about LGBTQ+ topics and on the the high risk of suicide for LGBTQ+ youth who are not affirmed.
8)SMCPS curriculum for students shall incorporate age-appropriate content on gender inclusive support into instruction developed according to the Maryland Comprehensive Health Education Framework, and include inclusive terminology in science instruction that concerns transgender and intersex bodies.
9) LGBTQ+ students and staff have the same right to respectful and appropriate discussion of their identity, relationship status, and family structure as cisgender and heterosexual students and staff.