Lewiston policy letting teachers 'hide' students' gender identities sparks debate

LEWISTON, Maine (CITC) — A Lewiston Public Schools (LPS) policy allows teachers to conceal students' gender identities from their parents, sparking outrage with a parents' rights group.

LPS adopted its Transgender and Gender Expansive Students policy in July 2021, and it was highlighted Monday in a reportby advocacy group Parents Defending Education (PDE). The policy aims to create a welcoming school environment and assist with "the educational and social integration and development of transgender and gender expansive students," according to the district's website.

Under the policy, LPS schools are required to "abide by the wishes" of a transgender or gender expansive student at school even if their parents or guardians "do not agreewith regard to the student’s gender identity or gender expression." Individual staff members are also instructed to comply with a student's requests regarding the disclosure of their gender identity, including to parents or guardians, unless "legally required" to do otherwise.

The directives are problematic for PDE researcher Rhyen Staley, who argues they violate parents' rights.

It is unethical and immoral for schools to have a policy that hides a student’s gender transition from their parents; yet Lewiston Public Schools goes further by preemptively acting as judge and jury by codifying into policy that it will side with minors over their parents," Staley told Crisis in the Classroom (CITC). "The fact that a school district has publicly declared it will accept and support the student in open defiance of the parents regarding something as serious as a gender transition is highly concerning."

However, Gia Drew, the executive director of EqualityMaine and a former teacher, feels policies like LPS's affirm to LGBTQ+ students what their rights are.

"We want families to be involved, we want families to love their kids, especially their LGBTQ+ kids, and I think that is really important," Thomas told CITC. "Most families are involved with schools as much as possible ... but we also know that not all parents are on board, and that's unfortunate."

We want to make sure that young people have the rights to be themselves at schools, and if they don't feel comfortable yet coming out to their parents ... that this gives them an avenue to be themselves at school and develop a plan to eventually come out to their parents when they feel safe enough to do so," she continued.

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Earlier this month, Regional School Unit 40, which serves Union, Friendship, Waldoboro, Warren and Washington, eliminated its own transgender student policy. The policy was similar to that of LPS, advising staff to use students' preferred names and pronouns and allowing students to use school facilities which correspond with their gender identities. The district's school board repealed the policy after critics argued it undermined parents' rights and was redundant due to current state directives.

In New Hampshire, a bill prohibiting students in grades 5-12 from competing in sports based on gender identity is heading to Gov. Chris Sununu's desk after receiving House and Senate approval. The Republican governor recently voiced support for the measure, saying "it all comes down to an issue of fairness and safety."

CITC reached out to LPS for comment, but did not receive a response. This story will be updated if a response is received.

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