by Steve Greguske
In Part 1 we learned that our school has embraced the New Jersey Department of Education’s transgender guidance. To summarize, we learned that the Department has deliberately inserted school districts between the parents and their children if a child voices a gender concern. Per the Department, any statement made by the child is to be taken at face value—blind acceptance is required by the school district. Should a biological boy decide he is a girl, he is allowed to use girl’s bathrooms and participate in girls’ sports. He (She) has duplicate school records (one for the parents, with the boy’s name and gender as male, and another record for the student using the student’s chosen name and gender). And the school district is under absolutely no obligation to inform the child’s parents. In part 2, we learned the school gets insight into gender preferences by asking the students via online forms to identify their preferred pronouns. We also learned the number of personal pronouns is not “settled science”.
The New Jersey Department of Education has issued its ‘Guidance’ document in order to “…create an inclusive environment in which transgender and gender nonconforming students feels safe and supported…”. This is a laudable goal—every United States citizen has the right to pursue happiness in their own way.
The Guidance promulgated by the State of New Jersey basically attempts to create an inclusive environment in which transgender and gender nonconforming students feel safe and supported but which results in the majority of students feeling unsafe and unsupported—the tyranny of the minority.
The Guidance is so flawed, it is not only unworkable, it can cause irreparable harm.
By blindly accepting a student’s gender identity, a variety of bad outcomes become possible:
- A person can game the system by claiming to be the opposite gender to gain access to areas from which they would normally be restricted, e.g. bathrooms and locker rooms.
The Loudon County School District in Virginia, following a similar transgender policy, allowed a boy identifying as a girl to use the girl’s bathroom. He raped a girl and the school refused to take action other than to transfer the boy to a different school where he raped another girl. This situation has gained national attention with the legal and political fallout still ongoing.
- A person can claim to be the opposite gender to gain an advantage in sports.
Many instances of biological boys competing in girls’ sports have surfaced. The unfairness to the girls is readily apparent. In addition, the number of instances is growing where biological boys playing girls sports is resulting in injury to the girls.
- Tragic long-term health issues can result.
Chloe Cole was born a girl, began identifying as a boy at age 12, started puberty blockers and testosterone treatment at 13, and had ‘gender affirming care (a double mastectomy)’ at age 15. She has since reverted back to female. She blames medical professionals for failing to question or prevent her rapid transition.
With its current policy in place, the Berkeley Heights Board of Education has a hot mess on its hands.
But there are positive steps the Board can take to eliminate the tyranny of the minority and restore balance in its policy. The goal is to allow all students to feel safe and supported without infringing on anyone’s rights.
Part 4 is coming.
