The Columbia Public School District took the first step toward rewording its nondiscrimination policy at a meeting Monday night. The school board voted to put the issue on the agenda for discussion and a possible vote in September.
The changes would include replacing “gender” in the policy with the phrases “gender identity” and “gender expression.”
“I think it’s important that as a school district, as students, and parents, and staff, that we all welcome each other regardless of how we look or think about ourselves because it’s an individual’s decision and no one else’s,” said Adele Dorman, a high school student.
The school district would join the UM school system and the City of Columbia in recognizing gender identity and gender expression as protected. If the motion passes in September, the school district will partner with Stephen’s College to make the necessary changes.
Psychologist David Tager said that in Missouri it is still legal to fire a person for being transgender. So this change in language would protect students’ rights to expression and prevent staff from being fired because of their gender identity.
“It’s a day to day fight,” Hutton said. “They have to pick their fights. They have to figure out which one would be better, should I be myself for the day or should I put on a mask, and wait another day until it’s better?”
The September meeting will look at changes including the introduction of gender-neutral bathrooms into schools as well as the cost of such actions. The meeting will be held on September 14.