Letters

Giving Schools Tools to be Gender-Affirming Environments

Opinion Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.

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We applaud the State Education Department (SED) on their framework for creating safe and affirming school environments for transgender and gender expansive (TGE) students. As the vice president of education and training for Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP), my team and I have seen firsthand how affirming students’ gender identity is critical for their school performance, self-esteem and overall mental health. The consequences of denying TGE students a supportive environment can be devastating.

These recommendations include the perspectives of TGE students in New York; it is critical that young people have a voice in these discussions. As many of the students quoted expressed, there is often an onus on LGBTQ students to educate the people who are intended to care for them. This should not be their responsibility.

However, many teachers are already overburdened and need support in having the information, resources and training to properly implement the recommendations. Organizations like PPHP have educators who are eager to share their expertise on gender with young people and school professionals alike.

New York schools should implement this guidance from SED as soon as possible and include community partners in the execution.

Michelle Gjuraj
Vice President of Education and Training
Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic

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