I have a Writing Assignment due 17 hrs
SAFE Student Advocates For Empowerment Respec+ng differences and providing privacy for all students.
DEFINITIONS: Transgender: refers to an individual whose gender identity does not match their assigned birth sex. Gender Nonconforming: expressing gender and/or having gender characteristics that do no conform to the expectation of society and culture. Gender Identity: the internal perception of an individual’s gender, and how they label themselves. Gender Expression: the external display of gender, through a combination of dress, demeanor, social behavior, and other factors, generally measured on a scale of masculinity and femininity.
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ALL Gender Restrooms in Santa Monica High School
In our educational system, transgender* and gender nonconforming* youth are fearful to attend school and use school restrooms due to the constant fear of discrimination. SAFE is advocating for students to have the freedom to use restrooms that correspond with their chosen gender identity* and gender expression*. We aim to work with the Santa Monica School District to guarantee Bill AB 1266 is being properly implemented. To advocate for these gender nonconforming youth we suggest either designating a pre-existing restroom as ALL Gender, constructing a new ALL Gender restroom, or making every restroom ALL Gender neutral. SAFE hopes to work together with the Santa Monica School District and the School Superintendent to make sure that all students, regardless of their chosen gender identity and gender expression, feel safe on their campus. It’s imperative to promote free expression on campus by making sure that all restrooms are gender neutral and accommodate all students.
SWRK 525 Policy Brief Professor Abelson
Executive Summary
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Policy: ALL Gender Restrooms
Male and female restrooms force people to choose between facilities that may not accurately align with their gender identity or gender expression. Transgender or gender nonconforming students often feel uncomfortable when using school restrooms because they are exposed to a high risk of harassment and violence. Currently in our school system, 78% of transgender youth have been harassed on the basis of their gender identity (NCTE, 2011). Bill AB 1266 requires that transgender and gender nonconforming students will not be discriminated against by allowing them to participate in sex-segregated activities. Sex-exclusive restrooms further the discrimination against this population. All students deserve the right to express themselves freely and embrace their identity without the fear of being harassed or hurt while using the restroom. The creation of ALL Gender restrooms may help promote the safety and comfort of all students. Using the restroom is a basic human right, not a privilege, and should not be a frightening experience. If there is no safe restroom that aligns with the gender identity and gender expression of students, the school will be held accountable for breaking the School Success and Opportunity Act (AB1266), which protects students’ safety.
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Gender Nonconforming experiences
SAFE Student Advocates For Empowerment Respec+ng differences and providing privacy for all students.
Harassment and Discrimination at School: Those who expressed transgender identity or gender nonconformity while in grades K-12 reported alarming rates of harassment (78%), physical assault (31%) and sexual violence (13%). Harassment was so severe that it led 19% to leave a school in K-12 settings or leave higher education.
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ALL Gender Restrooms in Santa Monica High School
Statement of the issue
SAFE Student Advocates For Empowerment Respec+ng differences and providing privacy for all students.
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A 2009 national survey of 5,420 LGBT secondary school students found that as a whole this group faced hostile school environments especially from peers, due to their non-conforming attitudes about gender and gender roles (Kosciw, Greytak, & Diaz, 2009). Societal intolerance about transgendered and gender nonconforming people greatly contributes to the detrimental school experiences for youth in this population. A daily mundane activity such as using a school restroom creates anxiety and brings potential psychological and physical harm to transgender and gender nonconforming students, due to verbal and/or physical abuse from peers. Furthermore, approximately 32% of transgender individuals attempt suicide during their lifetime (Clements-Nolle, Marx, & Katz, 2006). The alarming situation and negative outcomes it creates for transgender and gender nonconforming youth were addressed in California by Governor Jerry Brown in the form of an addendum passed on January 1, 2014, to the existing California educational code. Assembly Bill AB 1266 protects the rights of transgender and gender nonconforming students to participate in sex-segregated school activities including the right to use facilities corresponding with their gender identity. In enacting these amendments California aims to decrease discrimination and bullying in public schools. In addition, Bill AB 1266 cultivates diversity awareness, respect, tolerance and a positive and safe school environment for all students regardless of their gender identity and gender expression. Implementing these new revisions is essential in communicating that Santa Monica High School advocates for equal protection for its students, promotes a safe school environment, and is a leader in fostering positive and tolerant youth who will become positive leaders in the community.
ALL Gender Restrooms in Santa Monica High School
Background and History of Policy
SAFE Student Advocates For Empowerment Respec+ng differences and providing privacy for all students.
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SAFE strongly believes that Santa Monica School District shares a mutual interest in ensuring all students feel safe at school despite their gender identity and expression. SAFE would like to work with the School Superintendent to guarantee Bill AB 1266 is being properly implemented in Santa Monica High School. It is imperative that all students feel safe to use restrooms that properly represent their gender specified identities and expressions. Many youth are so fearful of prejudice and violence that they miss classes and may drop out of school. Addressing this issue now will avoid potential legal action as well as prevent loss of funds due to student absences. The dean, teachers and counselors may already be challenged with bullying issues and implementing this policy is a proactive way to create an improved environment for all staff. We encourage the School District to treat all students equally and create a healthier campus by increasing the safety of all students with the passage of this policy.
Study Popula+on Sample size
Loca+on Verbal abuse
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Grant et at. 2011 Trans & Gender nonconforming adults (retrospecOve)
1,876 NaOonal 76% 35% 11%
Greytak, Kosciw & Diaz, 2009
Trans youth 13-‐20 295 NaOonal 87% 44% n.d.
Prevalence of peer victimization among transgender and gender nonconforming youth
ALL Gender Restrooms in Santa Monica High School
Interest in the Issue
SAFE Student Advocates For Empowerment Respec+ng differences and providing privacy for all students.
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Policy: Gender Neutral Restrooms
Option 1: Designate a pre-existing bathroom as ALL Gender Advantage: School will only have to invest in new signage for the restroom and no additional construction will be needed. The ALL Gender restroom will meet the needs of all students, including those identifying as transgender or gender nonconforming. Disadvantage: Designating only one restroom as ALL Gender may be inconvenient for transgender or gender nonconforming students to access and may single them out. Option 2: Construct a new ALL Gender restroom Advantage: The school will be able to keep existing restrooms as sex-segregated, and add an option for transgender or gender nonconforming students. Disadvantage: The school will have to pay for construction of a new restroom and locate an appropriate area for it on campus where it will be convenient for students to access. Option 3: Make every restroom ALL Gender Advantage: The school will only have to invest in new signage for restrooms and no additional construction will be needed. Changing all every
restroom to ALL Gender will not call attention to transgender or gender nonconforming students since all students will be using the same type of facilities. Disadvantage: Some students and parents may feel uncomfortable with every restroom being ALL Gender.
The following three options would ensure all students feel comfortable and safe using the restroom at school, regardless of their gender identity and gender expression
BEST SOLUTION In order to provide the safest and most comfortable school environment for all students, including transgender and gender nonconforming, the best solution is Option 3: Make all Restrooms gender neutral. This option will not call any unwanted attention to students who may not want to advertise their gender identity or expression. This prevents the fear of discrimination, bullying or violence that may occur when being forced to choose a gender exclusive restroom and creates a secure and equal environment for all students.
ALL Gender Restrooms in Santa Monica High School
Policy Options
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Policy: Gender Neutral Restrooms
Clements-Nolle, K., Marx, R., Katz, M. (2006). Attempted Suicide Among Transgender
Persons. Journal of Homosexuality, 51(3), 53-69.
Gay, L. (2009). The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender School Students:
Findings from the 2007 National School Climate Survey. Research Brief. Gay,
Lesbian And Straight Education Network (GLSEN).
Kosciw, J.G., Greytak, E.A., Diaz, E.M. (2009). Who, What, Where, When, and Why: Demographic
and Ecological Factors Contributing to Hostile School Climate for Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, and Transgender Youth. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 38(7), 976-988.
Messinger, L. (2009). Creating LGBTQ-Friendly Campuses. Academe, 95(5), 39-42.
Morrow, D. (2004). Social work practice with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender
adolescents. Families in Society-the Journal of Contemporary Human Services, 85(1),
91-99.
The Glossary From Rise. (2013). Gender Diversity Definitions. Retrieved November 20th, 2014, from
http://www.genderdiversity.org/resources/terminology/ &
http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2013/01/a-comprehensive-list-of-lgbtq-term
The Movement Against Bullying. (2014). The Essential Guide to Bullying Statistics 2014 and Recent
Bullying Percentages. Retrieved December 1st, 2014, from
http://nobullying.com/bullying-statistics-2014/
The National Center for Transgender Equality. (2011). Safe and Supportive Schools. Retrieved
December 1st, 2014, from http://transequality.org/Issues/education.html
ALL Gender Restrooms in Santa Monica High School
REFERENCES
SAFE Student Advocates For Empowerment Respec+ng differences and providing privacy for all students.