I would appeal for a sense of caution, especially for the protection of our students. Some could very well use the new appropriations to take advantage of other classmates (in particular, those who are younger and/or more vulnerable and of a different sex). Allowing for shared bathrooms to be used freely by students of any sex automatically removes a certain amount of protection and opens more opportunities for sexual abuse. For example, an older teenage boy could use a temporary claim to a different sexual identity (being given the right to do so under protection of the new laws) only for the purpose of stalking a young girl in a bathroom. This is a path that will only lead to devastating results. 

As to the provisions that prohibit the school from sharing information on a student’s perceived sexual identity with the parents of that child - again, I ask for extreme caution. Are parents not given an innate role to lovingly protect and nurture their children, giving them what they need to grow into responsible, wholesome, mature adults that contribute positively to society? How are well-intentioned parents able to fulfill that role when the divide between parents and students is marked more deeply by students being taught to avoid going to their parents with their naturally sensitive questions about identity and self worth? Without a strong sense of family, children and young adults often struggle with identity and worth, turning to extremely unhealthy choices like drugs. Please do not make provisions that encourage deeper division and less protection. 

With respect and great concern,

Heather Ryan