Sheila Decter testified at the hearing on the Transgender Anti-discrimination bill on behalf of JALSA and Citizens for Public Schools. We indicated our support for the passage of House Bill #1728 to protect from discrimination persons in Massachusetts on the basis of their gender identity or expression. Responding to the allegations of persons opposing the bill, we indicated that as a group that has labored hard to meet the needs of students, we would not support this bill if we thought it was putting any students into danger. We suggested that the concentration of testimony on bathroom and locker room issues was a “red herring” to divert attention from the need to make schools a positive learning environment for all students.

Transgender students face severe discrimination and harassment in schools. Studies indicate that a very high percentage of transgender students feel unsafe in schools.  Transgender students are at a higher risk of dropping out of school or of suicide.

Explicit anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies make a big difference. When the law is clearly codified, teachers and administrators know they need to deal with these issues,  and solutions are found for real or imagined problems. Our testimony supported the view that teachers and administrators know how to respond with transgender sensitivity. California, Minnesota, New Jersey have all found ways to make schools more responsive and the lives of these students more safe.

Sheila Decter testifying at the Public Hearing for the Transgender Anti-discrimination bill