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Parent urges board not to adopt policies discriminating against transgender students
Summary
During the patrons' comment period, a parent asked the board to reconsider an agenda item on transgender student participation in athletics, warning such policies would marginalize a very small number of students and could harm mental-health outcomes.
During the patrons' hearing on agenda items, a parent urged the Eastern York School District Board not to adopt policies that would single out transgender students for exclusion from sports teams.
Beth Weaver Crater of Lower Windsor Township addressed the board during the agenda-item-only public comment period. She said she had a positive experience in the district as a parent and asked the board to consider the long-term impact of policies requested by departing board members. "Looking at, discriminating against trans students on, sports teams is is a waste of time, frankly," Crater said. She said there are very few transgender athletes at the national level and asked whether the district should spotlight or marginalize a small number of students.
Crater also linked respectful treatment and using students' chosen names and pronouns to health outcomes. "Caring for our trans students, including them in sports, in speaking of them with the pronouns, and the names by which they know themselves is suicide prevention," she said. She added, "Trans girls are girls."
The board did not take immediate action in response during the meeting; the comment period instruction emphasized the board would listen and take notes but not necessarily respond immediately.
Ending: Speakers and staff noted comments were submitted during the agenda-only public comment period; the board indicated staff would follow up if additional administrative action was required.
