The debate around transgender students in restrooms and sports once again made its way before the Paso Robles school board in its meeting last night. But this time, the board agreed to bring back an information item.
The conversation started during public comment as a student brought forward their experience of being bullying as a member of the LGBTQ+ community:
“The route I have to take to get to my classes brings me in close proximity to the people who threatened to harm me last year… homophobic students follow me to my next class, throw trash at me, and verbally harass me… the real action that needs to be taken by the board is not the creation of a policy that targets transgender students, but the strengthening of policies that protect all students.”
Multiple other speakers and students also gave their experiences on the other side of the debate:
“70 percent of the public out there agrees that boys do not belong in girls’ sports, and that boys do not belong in girls’ locker rooms or restrooms,” one said. Another said: “The United States supreme court has recognized that questions like these… are serious enough to deserve the nation’s highest level of legal scrutiny.”
While the board was once again hesitant to agendize an action item or resolution, particularly in with the ongoing discussions at the supreme court, they agreed to bring back an information item for discussion regarding restroom facilities. Superintendent Jennifer Loftus said, “What I appreciate is I think an opportunity to grapple what the law actually, is what our options are within the law, and then to allow everyone to just think about what it might look like to come up with solutions.”
The board cannot take actions for information items, but may provide direction to staff. This will return in February for discussion only.
