Life goes on in the weeks before the likely Trump
Inauguration. While Trump has designated
three unrepentant homophobes to lead the Departments of Justice, Education, and
Health & Human Services – all key agencies involved, in recent years, in
protecting the rights and lives of LGBTQ people -- all is not lost. The progress we have made at the grassroots
in places like Montgomery County will not be reversed. We can and will continue
to advocate for our LGBTQ friends and family.
One important community group is the (Rainbow Youth Alliance, founded by Stephanie Kreps, a fellow
PFLAG parent. Today I met with a group
of RYA teenagers to describe the excellent anti-discrimination policies established
by the Montgomery County Public Schools, and to hear any concerns they have
about implementation. Had a great discussion with these terrific, thoughtful
kids, and discussed strategies for securing implementation of the rights set
forth in the MCPS policies. They know that the leadership in Montgomery County
has their backs, and that there are plenty of people in our community who will
help them if the need arises. And just as importantly, they are learning how to be advocates for themselves.
Pasted below is the handout I provided at our meeting. Others involved with
MCPS might find it useful.
Summary of Materials re MCPS and Sexual Orientation
and Gender Identity for the Rainbow Youth Alliance (December 4, 2016)
David S. Fishback, Maryland Advocacy Chair, Metro
DC Chapter of PFLAG
Believe it or not, fifteen years ago MCPS pretended
that everyone was straight. Teachers were forbidden from even mentioning sexual
orientation or gender identity. But in 2002, that began to change, and, even
though some forces tried to prevent progress, now MCPS enables full discussion
of these matters in its secondary school health education classes See https://www.pflag.org/blog/curriculumvictorymontgomerycounty and
https://www.pflag.org/sites/default/files/Curriculum%20Victory%20in%20Montgomery%20County%202.pdf. Health education teachers develop their own curricula,
based, in part, on guidance from the American Psychological Association. See http://www.apa.org/topics/lgbt/orientation.pdf and http://www.apa.org/topics/lgbt/transgender.pdf
And MCPS now has comprehensive policies for barring
discrimination based on sexual or gender
identity. These policies are set forward
in:
The MCPS Employee Code of Conduct
A Student’s Guide to Rights and
Responsibilities http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/students/rights/StudentRightsResponsibilities-English.pdf (third unnumbered page and page 9)
MCPS Regulation JFA-RA (Student Rights and Responsibilities)
MCPS Regulation RGT-RA (User Responsibilities for Computer Systems,
Electronic Information, and Network Security)
MCPS Regulation
JHF-RA (Bullying, Harassment, or
Intimidation) http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/jhfra.pdf (pages 1 and 2)
MCPS Form 230-35 (Bullying,
Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Form)
(This form is also available
in Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese and Amharic: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/detail.aspx?formID=40&formNumber=230-35&catID=1&subCatId=44
In addition, last August, MCPS
published comprehensive Guidelines
Regarding Student Gender Identity Matters.
(The Metro DC Chapter of PFLAG and the Rainbow Youth
Alliance formally alerted all high school LGBTQ club sponsors to these Guidelines in October. All principals, school nurses, and guidance
office personnel have or should have received notification of these Guidelines. )
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