Recently an 8th grader contacted me saying the following:
“Ok so I'm trans and I have co Ed gym and they'll be like "boys to one side and girls to another" and then they won't let me go on the boys side because "I'm still legally a female and if I get hurt my family could sue and she'll lose her job" so I basically skip gym or sit around. Because it makes me want to kill myself “
I think this is very urgent to take care of, especially since on the Kenmore West website it says:
“Mission Statement:
Kenmore West High School is committed to developing
knowledgeable, principled, and compassionate young adults,
through academic, personal, and occupational experiences,
in preparation for an ever-changing global landscape.”
The thing that really speaks out to me is the word “Compassionate”. We must practice compassion in this situation. It troubles me deeply that an eighth grader is forced into a high school and mature situations and can’t be treated with respect and given the rights he wants. It is not only gym class that is troubling him it is also his guidance counselor calling him by his name that was forced upon him at birth. He has EVERY right to be called what he wants. He stated “She brings up my birthname when she shouldn't. She shouldn't even say it” And he is completely right. Especially in this “ever-changing global landscape” we need to change the way transgender students are treated in our school and in America.
This is a beyond important issue because if we have to pass gym in order to pass high school every student has to be comfortable enough to participate in gym but in this students case he says “I would rather kill Myself than play with girls. And I'm being 100% serious.” So at this point I’m calling for, not only action, but CHANGE.
So sign this to show that you support A boy participating in a BOY gym class.
Updates
November 11, 2016
The stories shared in the comments prove that this is a systemic issue affecting students across the district. I am currently reaching out to school board members to demand a formal policy change regarding name usage and gym access. Email your local representative today to insist that they prioritize the safety and dignity of trans students.
November 11, 2016
The momentum behind this push is real and it shows that our community refuses to let these students be ignored. Post the link on Facebook right now and email your representative to demand better protections. Our next step is getting these demands directly into the hands of the administration.
24 Comments
I completely and entirely agree. If you identify as male (or female) you have the right to participate in the boys gym class. Good luck!
Every student should feel comfortable at school. It's extremely unfair when a student feels uncomfortable in a certain situation at school and the school doesn't change anything. This can affect a students academics/mental health/etc.
This is absolutely unfair, you should be able to be in whatever group you identify as.. I hope everything works out!
Gym class is a liability. Period. I'm sure the student's parents are aware and are totally okay with it too. I'm sick of these stupid coverups for discrimination. Do what is fair, Ken West.
My nephew is a student at your school. I am a former resident of your community. I want to see these basic protections for human rights, respect, identity, and dignity in place for the bodies & spirits of youth in a place near and dear to my heart.
i'm also a transboy. would love it if there was a change.
Did he talk to anyone about this? Did he tell his parents? You can't just expect change ovetnight
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Recently an 8th grader contacted me saying the following:
“Ok so I'm trans and I have co Ed gym and they'll be like "boys to one side and girls to another" and then they won't let me go on the boys side because "I'm still legally a female and if I get hurt my family could sue and she'll lose her job" so I basically skip gym or sit around. Because it makes me want to kill myself “
I think this is very urgent to take care of, especially since on the Kenmore West website it says:
“Mission Statement:
Kenmore West High School is committed to developing
knowledgeable, principled, and compassionate young adults,
through academic, personal, and occupational experiences,
in preparation for an ever-changing global landscape.”
The thing that really speaks out to me is the word “Compassionate”. We must practice compassion in this situation. It troubles me deeply that an eighth grader is forced into a high school and mature situations and can’t be treated with respect and given the rights he wants. It is not only gym class that is troubling him it is also his guidance counselor calling him by his name that was forced upon him at birth. He has EVERY right to be called what he wants. He stated “She brings up my birthname when she shouldn't. She shouldn't even say it” And he is completely right. Especially in this “ever-changing global landscape” we need to change the way transgender students are treated in our school and in America.
This is a beyond important issue because if we have to pass gym in order to pass high school every student has to be comfortable enough to participate in gym but in this students case he says “I would rather kill Myself than play with girls. And I'm being 100% serious.” So at this point I’m calling for, not only action, but CHANGE.
So sign this to show that you support A boy participating in a BOY gym class.
Updates
November 11, 2016
The stories shared in the comments prove that this is a systemic issue affecting students across the district. I am currently reaching out to school board members to demand a formal policy change regarding name usage and gym access. Email your local representative today to insist that they prioritize the safety and dignity of trans students.
November 11, 2016
The momentum behind this push is real and it shows that our community refuses to let these students be ignored. Post the link on Facebook right now and email your representative to demand better protections. Our next step is getting these demands directly into the hands of the administration.
24 Comments
Let this child live in peace and who they were meant to be !! God made us in his own likeness
I completely and entirely agree. If you identify as male (or female) you have the right to participate in the boys gym class. Good luck!
Every student should feel comfortable at school. It's extremely unfair when a student feels uncomfortable in a certain situation at school and the school doesn't change anything. This can affect a students academics/mental health/etc.
This is absolutely unfair, you should be able to be in whatever group you identify as.. I hope everything works out!
Gym class is a liability. Period. I'm sure the student's parents are aware and are totally okay with it too. I'm sick of these stupid coverups for discrimination. Do what is fair, Ken West.
My nephew is a student at your school. I am a former resident of your community. I want to see these basic protections for human rights, respect, identity, and dignity in place for the bodies & spirits of youth in a place near and dear to my heart.
i'm also a transboy. would love it if there was a change.
Did he talk to anyone about this? Did he tell his parents? You can't just expect change ovetnight
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Let this child live in peace and who they were meant to be !! God made us in his own likeness