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Parents, mental-health provider and a transgender community member urge continued support for trans students; district policy summarized
Summary
Three public commenters urged the board to support transgender students. A parent read district guidance explaining when counselors notify families and when the district consults legal or mental-health teams to protect student safety.
Three members of the public addressed the board during general comment to express support for policies that protect transgender and gender-nonconforming students.
Katie Lewis, a licensed professional counselor in Adams County, told the board she supports the district’s approach and described the harm that can result when schools refuse to accept transgender students. “Not supporting trans kids is doing harm,” Lewis said, and she urged continued district support for students’ safety and access to learning.
John Brown, a parent and Thornton resident, summarized the district’s guidance on supporting transgender and gender-nonconforming students as published on the Adams 12 website. Paraphrasing the guidance, Brown said school counselors “will partner with the student to encourage and support them to discuss their gender identity with their parents or guardian,” but that if the counselor believes notifying a parent would present a risk of harm, the counselor must consult the district mental-health team and the legal department before providing support without parental involvement. Brown said the policy places student safety first, citing national statistics he read from the Trevor Project about family rejection and youth homelessness.
Ivy Brooks, who identified themself as a transgender person from Thornton, addressed students directly and encouraged math learners and math teachers, offering supportive remarks to students and praise for district math teachers.
Speakers framed their comments as appeals for safety, respect and continued district support for students whose gender identities may not be affirmed at home.
