Florida LGBTA Democratic Statement on Marion School Board Transgender Vote

The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus opposes the Marion County School Board’s pending vote on its “emergency” resolution that seeks to prohibit transgender students from using bathrooms they  identify with (and require them to use bathrooms based on the gender listed on their birth certificates).

The LGBTA Democratic Caucus is asking all of its members and supporters to take action now by letting the Marion County School Board members know that you oppose this dangerous resolution.  You can email the five Marion County School Board members to urge them to vote No on the resolution at these addresses:

Nancy.Stacy@marion.k12.fl.us,
Carol.Ely@marion.k12.fl.us,
Bobby.James@marion.k12.fl.us,
Angelia.Boynton@marion.k12.fl.us,
Kelly.King@marion.k12.fl.us

If you live in Marion County or the surrounding area you can also show your support for transgender students by attending the Marion County School Board meeting on Tuesday, April 26, at 5:30 PM at 512 SE 3rd St, Ocala, FL34471.

The resolution would require students to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender assigned at birth as opposed to that which aligns with their gender identity.  Here  is the proposed text of the “transgender resolution”.

If passed, this policy would imperil the safety of transgender and gender nonconforming students who would be forced to use bathrooms that do not correspond to their gender identity.  It would stigmatize these students and expose them to potential bullying and harassment.

If passed, the Marion County School Board resolution could result in a loss of federal education dollars.

Some background:  The resolution already passed on a 4-1 vote last week, with the Board Chair Bobby James voting in dissent, stating that it should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Just last week a federal appeals court in Virginia ruled that a similar school board policy there constituted discrimination based on sex.  From the Washington Post:  “…The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit deferred to the U.S. Education Department’s position that transgender students should have access to the bathrooms that match their gender identities rather than being forced to use bathrooms that match their biological sex.  The department has said that requiring transgender students to use a bathroom that corresponds with their biological sex amounts to a violation of Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination at schools that receive federal funding.”

Thank you for taking action now to show your support for transgender students in Marion County public schools!