Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Take Action Today!

 

IMMEDIATE  ACTION  NEEDED

Say NO to State Board of Ed resolution 
targeting LGBTQ+ students and
rejecting Title IX protections 
 

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.
 
We’re asking Ohioans to speak out against this targeted attack on LGBTQ+ students and demand Ohio schools stay in compliance with Title IX federal regulations.
 

LGBTQ+ students have a right to a safe, welcoming learning environment that fosters growth and development. Recent changes to Title IX protect these rights and shield LGBTQ+ students from harmful discrimination. 

But the so-called, “Resolution to Support Parents, Schools, and Districts in Rejecting Harmful, Coercive, and Burdensome Gender Identity Policies'' attempts to invalidate federal Title IX protections in schools for LGBTQ+ youth, spreads harmful falsehoods about LGBTQ+ people, and advocates that local school districts ignore the law. 

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.
 

Specifically, Brendan Shea’s resolution:
  • Opposes recent changes to Title IX regulations, released by the US Department of Education on June 23, 2022;
  • Sides with a lawsuit filed by Ohio Attorney General David Yost and 21 other state attorneys general opposing rules connecting federal nutrition funds to the adoption of Title IX sexual discrimination policies;
  • Requires the Ohio state superintendent  to send a letter directing all Ohio school districts to oppose recent Title IX changes, disregard the Title IX guidance, and not amend district policies;
  • Asks the State to provide stopgap funding to schools not complying with recent Title IX regulations; 
  • Requires Ohio schools to report student identities, alternative names, and pronouns to families regardless of possible risk for youth;
  • Prohibits trans youth in sports and school facilities;
  • Rejects “harmful, coercive, and burdensome gender identity policies”; and
  • Repeats harmful stereotypes and incorrect scientific assertions including that transgender girls are predatory and that gender-affirming care is medically harmful.

TAKE ACTION NOW
Stop this politicized attack on LGBTQ+ youth!
 

 

  TAKE ACTION  

Your public comment is needed NOW!
 


STEP 1: PREPARE YOUR COMMENT

Be concise. Open with your name, grade or profession, and city. Explain why you support policies and measures that protect and affirm LGBTQ+ students, and the dangers of not having those protections. Personalize your comment by adding your own stories and lived experiences. Include relevant data, research, and statistics, if able.

Helpful talking points HERE 
 

STEP 2: SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT TO THE BOARD
(2 WAYS)

1) PRESENT IN-PERSON COMMENT AT BOARD MEETING 

WHEN: Tuesday, September 20, 2022, 8am (exact timing of public comment can vary but on-time arrival is recommended)

WHERE: State Board of Education, 25 South Front Street, Columbus 43215

DETAILS: Witnesses are permitted five minutes for public comment, followed by questions from State Board members. It’s recommended to submit your written comment in advance to be included in the Board materials for public access.

NOTE: We will host a prep meeting Monday evening, September 19, for those presenting in-person.

INSTRUCTIONS: 

2) SUBMIT WRITTEN COMMENT TO STATE BOARD 

Email your written comments to Alex.goodman@education.Ohio.gov and SBOE@education.ohio.gov by 5pm, Sunday, September 18, 2022.
 

STEP 3: EMAIL & PHONE STATE BOARD MEMBERS

If you’re unable to submit testimony, please email or phone State Board members demanding they reject the resolution and instead, seek safe, healthy ways to protect and affirm LGBTQ+ students. 

Sample script HERE  •  Find your State Board member HERE
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