BY BTL STAFF
LANSING – The State Board of Education Office of School Support Services will hold its final meeting May 10 for parents, youth and community members to make public comment on a proposed set of guidelines that would make K-12 schools more inclusive for LGBT youth, especially for trans and gender non-conforming youth.
The "Statement and Guidance on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Students" was first introduced earlier this year by John Austin, president of the Michigan State Board of Education, and was further outlined in a Feb. 23 memo from the Michigan Department of Education to the state board.
The LGBT guidance was created after schools and teachers requested best practices recommendations to create a more supportive learning environment for LGBT students in Michigan K-12 schools. The guidance recommends adopting policies that would protect LGBT students from harassment, designate a staff member who can provide students with information or support related to LGBT issues, call for students to be addressed by their chosen name and pronouns that "correspond with their gender identity," provide support for the formation of Gay-Straight Alliances, and more.
The public comment portion of the state board meeting will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the Hannah Building located at 608 W. Allegan Street, Lansing. Professional attire is recommended for those wishing to make public comment.
The Michigan Organization for Adolescent Sexual Health (MOASH) will be meeting nearby to discuss talking points for those in favor of the proposed LGBT guidance. Contact Taryn Gal for more information at [email protected].
