1. Do you support the policy that requires all HCPSS schools to allow transgender students to use restrooms and changing facilities based on their identified gender? Please explain your answer.

I support every student being able to use bathrooms and changing facilities where they are comfortable and their privacy is respected. I think it is ludicrous to think that someone would pretend to be transgender to get access to a bathroom for nefarious purposes. Nothing is stopping anyone from entering any bathroom or changing room, if they are intent on entering it. I’m not a fan of requiring students to undress in front of other students. It made me uncomfortable even as a cisgender teenage girl. I think every student should have privacy in such situations.

Several weeks ago, while visiting the UMBC campus, I used an all gender, multiple stall bathroom. The row of stalls had doors that went all the way down to the floor and no gaps as many stalls inside a single gender bathroom have. At first I wondered, is this the bathroom for me? Going inside, it quickly made perfect sense. At home we don’t have gender segregated bathrooms. At an outdoor event, anyone can use any port-a-potty and we don’t bat an eye. I think it would be great if we could rethink bathroom design in our schools. Currently having a semi-private public space of single gender bathrooms leads to several problems. The “devious licks” Tik Tok trend encouraged vandalism and destruction of school bathroom facilities. Some students don’t feel safe entering school bathrooms due to bullying or drug use that can happen there out of view of school staff. If we had a row of stalls each just large enough for their purpose (and ADA compliant) with floor to ceiling doors with easy to use locking mechanisms that made it clear from the outside that they were in use, in a public hallway, I think we could address multiple challenges. Sinks outside of the bathroom stalls area is something we’re already building in newer buildings and they have the added benefit of making it easier for students to wash their hands more frequently.

2. Would you support a policy that requires HCPSS staff and non-official documents to use the name and pronouns that a student requests? Please explain your answer.

I would definitely support that. It is rude to call someone a name they don’t want to be called. I think those who disagree would find themselves getting angry and upset if they were consistently called the wrong name and referred to with the wrong pronouns, even without the additional pain that such treatment causes gender non-conforming individuals

3. To what age groups (if any) is it appropriate for teachers and other staff members to disclose to students that they have LGBTQ family members or are involved in a same-sex relationship?

At whatever age group it would be appropriate for teachers and staff to discuss their heterosexual relationships and family members.

4. Should curriculum be revised to include reference to LGBTQ individuals, including the fact or possibility that the individuals were LGBTQ identified. If yes, what (if any) is the minimum grade level at which these changes should be made? Please explain your answer.

Curriculum about civil rights and the movements and history that expanded them in our country should include those for LGBTQ rights, highlighting those who were key, both LGBTQ individuals and allies. That is part of our history. During LGBTQ celebration events, LGBTQ individuals who have contributed to our nation and society in whatever field can be highlighted and recognized.

5. Would you like to see LGBTQ themed works of literature, art, and media be introduced into the curriculum, and if yes, what (if any) is the minimum grade level at which this should be done? Please explain your answer.

I think that books and other media that are inclusive of different types of families and which don’t perpetuate negative gender stereotypes are appropriate for all levels. We want students to be able to see themselves in the stories and the characters they are introduced to. We want students to have an opportunity to see into and learn from the lives of others who are different from themselves as well.

6. How should the school system provide more education to parents/guardians with regard to understanding and supporting LGBTQ youth? How should HCPSS reach out to parents/guardians who are unsupportive of their children’s LGBTQ identities?

I believe in reaching out to people where they are and inviting them to reflect on their views and to consider views different from their own. We can’t learn when we’re angry and defensive. I think that counselors whether they are school based or community based can help families to navigate conflict. I think that having individuals we can call upon with various religious and cultural perspectives as a resource would be a tremendous help. It could be an advisory board of volunteers willing to do outreach in a person to person format and/or to help develop materials to assist families going through what they have already experienced. They could share how they navigate support for their children and their faith/culture. I would hope that we could help parents to build upon their love for their children to help them to be understanding and supportive of their children. Ultimately, our schools must be a safe place for all students, especially if they don’t have a safe space with the people who should love them the most.

7. What accommodations should be made for transgender students participating in athletics organized by the school system? Which policies should be revised to reflect these accommodations?

I’m in favor of policies that allow for greater participation and less exclusion. Even the governor of Utah, arguably the most politically and socially conservative state in the US recently recognized that proposed legislation there banning transgender kids from participating in school sports was cruel and damaging. In a letter to the Utah state legislature he wrote, “...I want them to live. And all the research shows that even a little acceptance and connection can reduce suicidality significantly.” To make the best programs and policies to make school athletics more inclusive, I would seek to learn from those who have the experience and knowledge to make them successful.

8. Should HCPSS make sure schools offer access to LGBTQ student clubs like GSAs to their students? At what levels (High? Middle? Elementary?) should this happen? Please explain your answer.

I think HCPSS should encourage these types of supportive clubs. Interested staff, possibly with the help of volunteers, should be supported in facilitating them. It gives students an opportunity to support one another and an opportunity for them to practice leadership and organization skills. It’s another way that students can feel like they belong and are accepted. I think clubs in general are mostly a middle school and older thing.

9. Do you support the creation and funding of an LGBTQ initiatives specialist role within HCPSS? Such a role would be responsible for coordinating and developing policies and programs in support of LGBTQ students and staff within HCPSS. Please explain your answer.

Such a role was just funded in the recent budget and I am in support. While we already have positions in the HCPSS that are concerned with supporting LGBTQ students and staff, amongst other responsibilities, I think having someone with a particular focus on LGBTQ students and staff will allow for greater focus on their unique needs and challenges. Hopefully this will yield better policies and better implementation as well as lead to a more inclusive culture within our school system

10. What changes would you like to see made to the way HCPSS handles identification, reporting, interventions, and prevention of bullying?

It needs to be very clear that bullying won’t be tolerated. We need to continue working every day to foster a culture of belonging. We need to make sure we’re not perpetuating stereotypes and that we’re being inclusive. We need to make sure that everyone understands and is aware of policy and that it is followed. The procedures for reporting problems should be well known and easy to access. Responses to issues need to be timely and substantive.

11. What measures should the school system take to prevent suicide among the student body?

During the ‘stay at home’ part of the pandemic, I had the opportunity to take an online QPR class. QPR stands for question, persuade, and refer. It’s a first aid type class for mental health and suicide prevention. While the class I took was geared towards adults, there are programs tailored to younger people. I think that including this type of instruction in our schools could help to save lives. Programs to help destigmatize mental health concerns would also help. We also need to make sure that we have sufficient mental health supports available to our students. We must also continue fostering a culture of acceptance and belonging at every school.

12. HCPSS has a very diverse student population with regard to race, ethnicity, country of origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, disability, family structure, etc. What roles do you think these cross identities should play in the school system’s policies and practices in supporting LGBTQ students?

I think that this is something that we always need to be mindful of. Historically marginalized groups are not a monolith, even within groups. Individuals face very different experiences when group identities intersect in their lived experience. I think that this is another reason that an advisory board made up of groups from many backgrounds and perspectives would be beneficial.