New guidance issued by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) asked school personnel not to disclose the gender identity of students to their families.
The report called “Creating a safe and supportive school environment for transgender, transsexual and gender-expansive students”justifies that some TGE (transgender and gender-expansive) students keep their gender identity secret "for safety reasons" or for fear of not being accepted by their families and caregivers:
Some TGE (transgender and gender-expansive) students have not spoken to their families about their gender identity because of safety concerns or lack of acceptance, and may begin their transition at school without the knowledge of their parents or guardians. Only the student knows whether it is safe to share his or her identity with caregivers, and schools should be aware that some TGE students are unwilling or unable to make their parents/guardians aware of their transgender status.
Creating a Safe Supportive ... by News 8 WROC
Revealing "a student's gender identity can have serious consequences"
The guide also asks school employees to accept the gender identity required by the student without asking for further explanation:
Acceptance by school personnel of a student's asserted gender identity should require no more than a statement from the student expressing his or her preference. Schools do not need to request permission, letters from professionals or other proof of gender identity.
The report says the student should be responsible for being "in charge of their gender transition" and asks school personnel to make them feel "comfortable" throughout the process:
If a student has formally requested to transition at school, the school administrator or another trusted adult, preferably trained in supporting LGBTQ and gender-expansive students, can meet with the student and determine what steps the student is comfortable taking. The school administration or trusted adult can ask with whom the student feels comfortable discussing transition.
It is further alleged that the school's primary mission "is to protect the health and safety of the student, ensuring that their gender identity is affirmed and that their privacy and confidentiality are securely maintained." It also asserts that "prematurely revealing a student's gender identity can have serious consequences for the student."
Parental rights under attack
The guide was widely criticized on social media. Citizens allege that the report violates and infringes on the rights of parents. Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), an organization that "protects religious freedom, freedom of speech, parental rights, marriage and family, and the sanctity of life," commented on Twitter:
NY State Ed. Department says school officials should hide gender transitions from parents.
They're out of bounds. Parents have the right to know what is happening to their child.https://t.co/8ceoVCyEvD
— Alliance Defending Freedom (@ADFLegal) June 17, 2023
Representative Elise Stefanik stated that "in New York, parents’ rights are directly under attack. This is unacceptable and must be stopped immediately."
In New York, parents' rights are directly under attack.
This is unacceptable and must be stopped immediately.
https://t.co/vSgjUxKb2A— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) June 14, 2023
Pennsylvania and California follow suit
School departments in other states are also implementing measures that allow minors to make their gender transition without informing their parents.
In Pennsylvania, the Greater Johnstown school district established "gender transition and gender support plans" that do not exempt parents from participating.
In May, it was revealed that a school in California performed gender transitions on 23 students between 2020 and 2022 without parental consent, eight of whom were in primary school.
Hiding children's gender identity from their parents creates "a rift" in their relationship
Kate Anderson, senior advisor for Alliance Defending Freedom, noted that "schools that implement 'gender support plans' harm students, parents, teachers and other staff members.”
Parents have the right and responsibility to direct the upbringing and education of their children. And children need their parents to do just that, especially when they are struggling with challenging issues like their identity. Unfortunately, however, many schools across the country allow and even encourage children who struggle with their identity to make life-changing decisions without informing their parents.
Anderson argues that hiding their children's gender identity from their parents creates "a rift" in their relationship, at a time when children are most in need of support from their caregivers:
In some cases, school administrators have gone so far as to prohibit teachers and professors from informing parents about their children's behavior at school. And they have done so under the guise of "support" and "acceptance" for children struggling with questions about sex and gender. But neither did their actions. Instead, they drive a wedge between students and their parents when these children need their parents the most.
