Thank you for your proposed guidance to assist education agencies in adopting policies that protect transgender and nonbinary students. All students have the right to feel safe and secure in their school and to thrive and reach their full potential.

My youngest is gender queer.  They have bravely come forward to be their authentic self. However, they waited until they were an adult before doing so. I can only imagine how difficult it would have been had they done so in their K-12 years.  Too many transgender and nonbinary students in our schools have been bullied, discriminated against, mocked and stripped of the dignity owed to all students.  

Teachers, staff, administrators and students play such an important role in the academic achievement and social well-being of our children.  They make all the difference in whether a child, teen or young adult feels respected and accepted. These policies will enable our schools to be a haven where children learn, follow their passions and achieve their dreams. Too many children who have not received such support have either contemplated, or committed, suicide.  That is tragic. 

I commend you for drafting this guidance and encourage you to adopt it so that our schools throughout the Commonwealth welcome all and educate our students to be caring, compassionate citizens of the world. 

Sincerely,

Lu Ann Maciulla McNabb