Transgender Policy
MODEL SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY REGARDING
TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NONCONFORMING STUDENTS
PURPOSE
California law and District policy require that all programs, activities, and employment practices be free from discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
This policy is designed in keeping with these mandates to create a safe learning environment for all students and to ensure that every student has equal access to all school programs and activities. This policy sets out guidelines for schools and district staff to address the needs of transgender and gender nonconforming students and clarifies how state law should be implemented in situations where questions may arise about how to protect the legal rights or safety of such students. This policy does not anticipate every situation that might occur with respect to transgender or gender nonconforming students, and the needs of each transgender or gender nonconforming student must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. In all cases, the goal is to ensure the safety, comfort, and healthy development of the transgender or gender nonconforming student while maximizing the student’s social integration and minimizing stigmatization of the student. DEFINITIONS
The definitions provided here are not intended to label students but rather to assist in understanding this policy and the legal obligations of District staff. Students might or might not use these terms to describe themselves. • “Gender identity” is a person’s deeply held sense or psychological knowledge of their own gender, regardless of the gender they were assigned at birth. Everyone has a gender identity. • “Transgender” describes people whose gender identity is different from their gender assigned at birth.
• “Gender expression” refers to the way a person expresses gender, such as clothing, hairstyles, activities, or mannerisms.
• “Gender nonconforming” describes people whose gender
TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NONCONFORMING STUDENTS
PURPOSE
California law and District policy require that all programs, activities, and employment practices be free from discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
This policy is designed in keeping with these mandates to create a safe learning environment for all students and to ensure that every student has equal access to all school programs and activities. This policy sets out guidelines for schools and district staff to address the needs of transgender and gender nonconforming students and clarifies how state law should be implemented in situations where questions may arise about how to protect the legal rights or safety of such students. This policy does not anticipate every situation that might occur with respect to transgender or gender nonconforming students, and the needs of each transgender or gender nonconforming student must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. In all cases, the goal is to ensure the safety, comfort, and healthy development of the transgender or gender nonconforming student while maximizing the student’s social integration and minimizing stigmatization of the student. DEFINITIONS
The definitions provided here are not intended to label students but rather to assist in understanding this policy and the legal obligations of District staff. Students might or might not use these terms to describe themselves. • “Gender identity” is a person’s deeply held sense or psychological knowledge of their own gender, regardless of the gender they were assigned at birth. Everyone has a gender identity. • “Transgender” describes people whose gender identity is different from their gender assigned at birth.
• “Gender expression” refers to the way a person expresses gender, such as clothing, hairstyles, activities, or mannerisms.
• “Gender nonconforming” describes people whose gender