There is absolutely no reason that a student should feel unsafe or discriminated against in their place of learning. It should be included without question because trans and non-binary people deserve explicit recognition and legal protection.

By detailing other groups in the current policy the door is opened and you must detail any and all groups...or detail no specific group on the policy. Whether or not YOU feel they are protected or not is irrelevant...perception is reality and there are groups of students that feel they are vulnerable based on not being included in the current policy.

Enumeration matters. If, as the board stated, it has no issues with Transgender and protects all students, adding one word to the policy should be easy for them to do.

If the policy covered gender identity like they claim, we would have two teachers held responsible for their actions recently, a student wouldn’t have had to switch schools to feel safe getting an education, and we wouldn’t have to sign petitions to ensure every child is covered legally. Let’s get this done!

As a trans man, and former student of Matanzas High School, this policy needs to change. I was harassed by both students and faculty (including administrators) during my highschool years and I was unable to do anything because of the wording of rules. This must change.

I am signing this petition as a message to the school board that we must protect all students. I made a comment at the October meeting that these people aren't hidden, they are our peers, friends, and family. All people, no matter their gender identity, deserve to be treated equally in an academic environment.

Way do we have to buy more clothes when alot of people can't afford the extra expense. Let them wear there normal clothes time for a change

There are far more better reasons to add it to the policy than omit it and assume everyone interprets it that way. Adding it eliminates any possibilities for mis-interpretation or abuse of the policy.