Background:
- At the State Board of Education’s next meeting on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, Board Member Brendan Shea will present a harmful, anti-LGBTQ+ resolution for consideration.
- The resolution proposes requiring schools to out LGBTQ+ children to their parents no matter the circumstances, ban transgender youth from participating in sports or using facilities that align with their gender identity, and advocates that state lawmakers allocate state taxpayer dollars to pay for any penalties incurred by school districts for ignoring Title IX legal protections.
The National PTA has a supportive resolution that states that:
- The National PTA seeks and supports legislation that specifically recognizes LGBTQ as a protected group and addresses discrimination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression;
- That National PTA encourages state, local units, and councils to review school policies in regard to bullying and support revisions and amendments to those policies that specifically address the topics of sexual orientation and gender identification/expression as they relate to harassment and bullying;
- That National PTA and its constituent associations seek and support legislation that creates a safe, supportive and accepting environment in schools, specifically with training for educators and other school related professionals to support all students, updated health education standards that deal with the issues of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression;
- That National PTA work with the Department of Education to encourage states to incorporate standards regarding age-appropriate, medically accurate and culturally sensitive information on LGBTQ issues into existing health and other appropriate curricula.
TAKE ACTION!:
- Email your written comments to Alex.goodman@education.Ohio.
gov, SBOE@education.ohio.gov, and your State Board Member by 5pm, Sunday, September 18, 2022. - Use a sample script here.
