Public commenters urge empathy for trans students and denounce political violence in schools

Two public speakers addressed the board during the Oct. 22 public-comment period.

John Brown told the board he opposed violence and said the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk should prompt discussion about both preventing violence and addressing hateful speech. Brown recited quotations from Kirk's public statements and said that although he disagreed with many of Kirk's views, no one deserves to be killed for their speech. "One of the best things about being an American is our freedom of speech. It is a disservice to everyone that Charlie's speech was silenced by a bullet," Brown said, and he urged discussion rather than celebration of violence.

Katie Lewis, a therapist who said she works with clients with complex trauma and with the trans community in Westminster, urged the board to support trans students and described ways school policies and staff responses can harm young children. She gave an example of a 6-year-old who asked to be called "Kate" in class but was told to use her legal name and unable to access a private bathroom; Lewis said the child then became anxious and isolated and that rejecting trans children in schools causes trauma and undermines teaching.

Lewis said school staff who are asked to make trans children feel unsafe are not showing empathy but "apathy and judgment," and she thanked the board and district for the ethical stance of supporting trans students.

Ending: The board heard these comments during public comment and did not take formal action on either issue during the meeting; both speakers framed their remarks as appeals to board values and student safety.