I have personally witnessed the effects of harassment from teachers and classmates on transgender youth. This treatment has made my peers fear for their safety and exacerbated depression and hopelessness among many.
One particularly egregious incident involved one of my Virginia public high school teachers not only refusing to respect my classmate’s identity but making unprofessional and disparaging comments about them in front of the class, as well as refusing to provide instruction to them solely on the basis of their transgender status.
No person should be subjected to this vile and traumatizing behavior from others, especially an adult in the public school system. There is no excuse for this type of behavior and these guidelines make that clear.
Every student deserves respect, dignity, privacy, and freedom from discrimination. Transgender youth deserve this and more, to be not only tolerated but included and listened to.