This headline is entirely possible, and in fact statistically probable.
Even if accurately reported, the fact that proposed practices go directly against the advice of nationally and internationally renowned pediatric/scientific bodies leaves little legal footing. The proposed policy lacks the fundamental understanding, long-term planning, education and medical/scientific support to avoid devastating physical and psychological consequences for the individual, the family, the school and the community.
With NO Plan to determine the accuracy and good-faith of reports (rumors, mishearing/understandings, teenage angst “revenge reporting”, etc) prior to parental communication, the school is at the mercy of the adolescent “rumor mill”. Are we saying that identifying as Trans is equivalent to being “a danger to oneself or others”? If not, it does not fall within the mandatory reporting guidelines.
Self-exploration has been a teenager’s job and right of passage since the dawn of time. Providing support requires (1) education, (2) unbiased receptive listening, and (3) the knowledge that the assumed “support systems” are in fact safe supportive and educated on the matter, which is not always -and for trans kids often not the case. Forced reporting/outing will/has historically resulted in increased secrecy and mistrust of faculty and otherwise trusted adults, leading to increased needs for but fear of asking for mental health outreach and as a result, self harm and suicide attempts/completions. It’s not being trans that makes a person depressed, it’s trying to survive in unaccepting environments that leads to psychological distress. Children know their family’s religious and political beliefs; if they felt safe coming out at home, they would have.
The increased-marginalization plan has never worked at bringing stability and communities together. Only raised awareness, education and dialogue have been proven successful.
I hope to never see the Subject line as a newspaper headline. Please stop using our children as political pawns.
With hope,
Avi