I think that when a district, or a school,
adopts a policy of promoting
appropriate inclusion of transgender and gender non-conforming students in the buildings,
and classrooms, in sports facilities, things of that sort,
that it really sends a very strong message to those students that they're welcome,
that they are acknowledged for who they are and that they are accepted on that basis.
For some trans students acceptance does not come easily at home,
or in their congregation.
And so for them to know that their school is a place where they can be safe,
where they can be out, they can be who they are that can be
perhaps one of-- an oasis of affirmation for them.
And so it can really have a very very strong impact on those students.
But I think this is similar to the phenomenon that we've
seen in what had been Straight and Gay Alliances is now Gender and Sexualities Alliances.
What we have seen in a number of districts is that
a school will establish a GSA and and the students who take part,
you know, many of them are LGBT or allies around those issues,
but many of them are not.
Maybe, many of them are folks who just don't fit in elsewhere,
but this is a place that they feel that they will be accepted because it
promotes a broader sense of inclusion and openness and acceptance.
And so, I think it's very plausible that when a district
goes out of its way to adopt say a gender inclusion policy of some sort.
It can send a broader message of welcome and affirmation
and inclusion to any number of students including
students who have no questions or concerns regarding gender identity but it
really sends a signal that the school is a safe place or aspires to be.