In recent years, the Montgomery County Public Schools system (MCPS) has made great progress with respect to LGBTQ matters. MCPS policy, of course, is set by the Montgomery County Board of Education. Below is the Questionnaire that the Metro DC Chapter of PFLAG sent to all 2022 candidates for the Board of Education. Scroll down for the answers provided by District 3 Candidates Scott Joftus and Julie Yang. Candidate Marcus Alzona did not submit any responses (Answers from the At-Large, District 1, and District 5 candidates may be found here, here, and here). For those seeking more context, I suggest checking out the links provided in the Questionnaire itself.
David S. Fishback, Co-Chair for Maryland Advocacy
Metro DC Chapter of PFLAG
Dear XXXXX:
For many years, the Metro DC Chapter of PFLAG has worked cooperatively with MCPS and the Board of Education to work foster a positive environment for Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, and Gender Non-Conforming students.
In order to inform our members and supporters of the viewpoints of the candidates running to serve on the Board of Education, we respectfully request that you answer the five brief questions pasted below. In order to provide a context, we include background materials. As a 501(c)(3) organization, we will not be endorsing candidates for office, but we will pass along your answers, and anything else you would like to let us know, to our members and supporters.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Thank you,
David S. Fishback, Maryland Advocacy Co-Chair
Metro DC PFLAG
cc: Mark Eckstein, Maryland Advocacy Co-Chair, Metro DC PFLAG
1. HEALTH EDUCATION CURRICULUM
Background
The secondary school Family Life and Human Sexuality curriculum provides that with respect to matters of sexual orientation and gender identity, the lessons are not “scripted” (as they were prior to 2014), but rather that “instructional planning resources [are] developed similar to all other content areas, including sample learning tasks, suggested instructional resources, and teacher guidance (e.g., the American Psychological Association’s Answers to Your Questions for a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation & Homosexuality, available at http://www.apa.org/topics/lgbt/orientation.pdf. This shift permits teachers to plan instruction based on the specific needs of their students, as they do in all other content areas.” See https://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/c4cf1644198dfd9986257503000d636f/4e99ac91837305c887257cd1006d30ed/$FILE/6%201%20Sec%20Health%20Ed%20Curr%20Framework.pdf (pp. 5-6), adopted by the Board of Education on June 17, 2014.
Question
What is your position on the inclusion of information from mainstream American medical and mental health professional associations in the MCPS health education curriculum?
2. ANTI-DISCRIMINATION
Background
MCPS guidelines and regulations make it very clear that the Board of Education “expects all students and staff to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates mutual respect without regard to an individual’s actual or perceived personal characteristics, such as . . . gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, [and] family/parental status.” See, for example, A Student’s Guide to Rights and Responsibilities, 2021-22 and Employee Code of Conduct, 2021-22.
With respect to gender identity and expression, MCPS provides specific Guidelines. See Guidelines Regarding Student Gender Identity, 2021-22
Question
What is your view of MCPS anti-discrimination policies with respect to LGBTQ students and employees?
3. SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ STUDENTS
Background
On February 4, 2020, the Board of Education’s Committee on Special Populations reviewed its Support for LGBTQ Students Update. This review included discussion of MCPS initiatives for support of LGBTQ Students.
Question
What is your view of the initiatives announced in February 2020?
4. SCHOOL NAMING
Background
In 2018, the Board of Education decided to name the new Richard Montgomery Cluster Elementary School after Bayard Rustin, a gay African American civil rights activist who was instrumental to organizing the 1963 March of Washington, which became the platform for Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/Bayard-Rustin.aspx
Question
What is your view of the naming of Bayard Rustin Elementary School?
5. ATTEMPTS TO BAR DISCUSSION OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR GENDER EXPRESSION.
Background
In some parts of the country, efforts are being made to prohibit public schools from discussing or even mentioning sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. See, for example, https://www.npr.org/2022/02/09/1079541236/florida-dont-say-gay-bill and https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2022/02/09/pete-buttigieg-florida-dont-say-gay-bill-lgbtq-youth-impact-nr-vpx.cnn
Question
What is your view of these efforts?
6. IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US, PLEASE DO SO.
CANDIDATE RESPONSES:
1. What is your position on the inclusion of information from mainstream American medical and mental health professional associations in the MCPS health education curriculum?
In 2014, the decision was made by MCPS, with substantial input from community members and other stakeholders, to revise the health education curriculum for all middle and high school students. Not only did these revisions allow for greater personalization of lesson materials, but also furthered the district’s goal to ensure that material closely aligned with the MCPS Strategic Planning Framework, the Common Core, and the National Health Education Standards (NHES). The stronger commitment to these standards, specifically the NHES, resulted in students having access to valid information, time to demonstrate their ability to solve personal problems and set goals related to their wellness, and the ability to analyze the numerous interpersonal and intrapersonal factors that impact individuals’ health. By including information from medical and mental health professional associations, students are exposed to information that is accurate, research-based, and aids in achieving the results set out by the NHES and MCPS Framework. Relying on expert advice is also important when dealing with potentially sensitive subject material, as it decreases the likelihood of misinformation or biased information being shared in the classroom. Teachers are experts in many different areas, but it is unreasonable to expect them to know everything about all medical and mental health areas as well. By using accredited and well-respected resources, teachers are able to provide students with important knowledge and help them better understand themselves and those around them.
MCPS has long been committed to fostering a safe, equitable, and inclusive environment for all students, staff, and faculty. This commitment extends to students and employees who identify as a part of the LGBTQ community. I think the Gender Identity Guidelines, published this year, reaffirm this commitment and provide tangible, clear resources for the community. There are a few characteristics that I want to highlight in this guide that I believe are especially important and I am glad were included:
1. The emphasis on working with the individual student to understand their comfort level in terms of their name and pronouns, communication with family, and participation in school-wide activities
2. The acknowledgement of the greater threat that LGBTQ students face for bullying and harassment, and the numerous policies and procedures put in place by the Board of Education and MCPS to prevent and address these issues
3. The clarification on common terms used within the LGBTQ community to foster understanding and a foundational knowledge base for the community.
MCPS makes it very clear that harassment of any sort is not acceptable. By not only creating a separate document of guidelines for gender identity, but also including numerous statements against discrimination in both the Employee Code of Conduct and Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, they further their pledge for an equitable and unbiased school environment for all.
I am very pleased with the measures that MCPS and the Board of Education have taken to improve the education and experience of LGBTQ students in the district. Specifically, the school leader professional development trainings and opportunities for LGBTQ students to discuss curriculum and take part in the Pride Association demonstrate commitment at all levels of the district, not just at the top. Further, by committing to review all subject material for inclusive content and ways to incorporate more diverse experiences, all students – regardless of whether they associate with the LGBTQ community or not – will have the chance to learn about an often-marginalized group. In order to build an accepting and tolerant community, it is imperative that students be exposed to a wide variety of people that may be different from themselves. These initiatives take great steps towards accurately representing the LGBTQ community in the schools, and with continued administrative and staff support, demonstrate MCPS’s and the Board of Education’s desire to celebrate the diversity of their community.
I am extremely pleased with the decision to name the latest addition to MCPS after Bayard Rustin. While all the options for the name of the new school were great leaders and activists, Rustin stands apart as one of the main organizers for the 1963 March on Washington, and for staying true to himself and his identity as a gay man during a time in which individuals could be arrested on “morals charges” for being homosexual. He also saw the parallels between the Civil Rights struggle and gay rights movement, and tried to use both of those aspects of his identity to create positive change for others. The decision of the Board of Education to name the school after this man points clearly at their desire to embrace diversity in all forms, and I am proud to support their choice.
The “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida, which passed in the House of Representatives on Thursday, February 24th, is a law that aims to diminish the lived experiences of the LGBTQ community and make it harder for students and staff who identify as members of the LGBTQ community to feel safe and accepted in their schools. It is a clear sign of prejudice and discrimination against a community that already has higher rates of bullying and harassment than straight, cisgender individuals. Students of all ages deserve to see themselves in the classroom texts, and to be celebrated for the traits that make them different, not attacked for them. Regardless of whether sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression is taught in the classroom, students will still have interactions with transgender individuals, homosexual individuals, and non-binary individuals. It is the job of public education to responsibly and equitably educate everyone in order to create a more tolerant society. By prohibiting this instruction, Florida public schools will fail to live up to this responsibility, and I do not support their actions.
1. What is your position on the inclusion of information from mainstream American medical and mental health professional associations in the MCPS health education curriculum?
It is my position that all segments of the MCPS Health Education Curriculum should remain in place for inclusion for our students. Any updates to that information should be addressed through normal procedures.
