ACTION ALERT: Stand Up for Students at DESE Meeting Tuesday 3/26

Please join MTPC and MassEquality at Tuesday’s Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) meeting in Malden. Opponents of DESE’s guidelines for the equal treatment of transgender students will be there to force a discussion of the guidelines at the meeting. We need you there to show a critical mass of people on the side of right. There will also be time for a few people to speak. DESE needs to know that we stand with them in standing up for equality. 

Tuesday, March 26, 8:30 am
Mass. Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148

Please let us know you can make it by contacting Andi Wheeler at andiwheeler@massequality.org.

Our opponents also tried to pass a hateful resolution at a recent Medford City Council meeting. Medford council members mentioned our strong trans-positive showing more than once at that meeting. We outnumbered the anti-equality contingent 20 to 1, and the matter was resolved in a positive way. The council supported diversity and equality in the Medford community and agreed to leave the education experts to decide what’s best for students.

If you can’t be at the DESE meeting on Tuesday, you can call the Commissioners to thank them for their ongoing support of transgender youth and the creation of a safe learning environment for all students.

Commissioner Mitchell Chester: 781-338-3100

Associate Commissioner John Bynoe: 781-338-6300

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CALL TO ACTION: Thank Massachusetts Education Commissioners for Standing Firm on Guidelines Protecting Transgender Students

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on Feb. 15 issued comprehensive guidelines that aim to ensure Massachusetts public schools comply with the new transgender non-discrimination law that prohibits discrimination against transgender students in all school programs and activities. The DESE guidelines were praised by an array of advocates, educators, families, and youth. (Read more here.)

Now Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester and Associate Commissioner John Bynoe are receiving a flood of calls from scared and misinformed parents and other Massachusetts residents who don’t understand what it means to be transgender and to face discrimination, harassment, and violence in schools.

Commissioner Chester and Associate Commissioner Bynoe need to hear from us that we support the DESE guidelines protecting transgender students and appreciate that they won’t water down the rules.

Research shows that transgender and gender non-conforming students suffer higher rates of verbal harassment, physical harassment, and physical assault in school. MTPC is grateful to DESE for issuing such practical guidance and identifying the steps that schools can take to create a safer and more welcoming environment for transgender youth in Massachusetts schools.

“Transgender students, like all students, need a school environment where they are treated fairly and respectfully so that they can focus on getting the education that they need and deserve,” said Grace Sterling Stowell, the executive director of Boston Alliance of GLBT Youth (BAGLY). “The DESE guidance gives our public schools the tools to create just that environment.”

Please call the Commissioners NOW to thank them for their ongoing support of transgender youth and the creation of a safe learning environment for all students.

The contact information for the DESE is:
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148
Commissioner Mitchell Chester: 781-338-3100
Associate Commissioner John Bynoe: 781-338-6300

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A Note from MTPC’s New Interim Director, Jesse Begenyi

Dear MTPC supporters and community members,

Many of you are aware that Gunner Scott has left MTPC and is en route to his next adventure, as the Director of Programs for Pride Foundation in Seattle. Here at MTPC, we will miss him greatly. We are also more motivated than ever to continue to educate the public; advocate with state, local, and federal government; engage in political activism; and encourage empowerment of community members through collective action in order to make our vision of equality a reality.

As the recent community organizer and a former MTPC steering committee member, I am honored that I was asked to step in as interim director. For the next six months, I have the privilege of working with you as we engage in an intentional, community-driven process for finding the next MTPC director.

During this time, MTPC will also be launching a Community Advocate Program to provide ongoing training and support for community members across the state who wish to take on leadership roles. We will also be partnering with GLAD and Life Skills at Fenway Health to hold an event for transgender folks to reflect on the experience of being discriminated against while accessing public places. The event will focus on ways to take care of ourselves when experiencing this kind of discrimination as well as empowering ways to share our stories while helping to advocate for the Equal Access Bill to add transgender protections in these public places (public accommodations) to existing laws. We will also be participating in Northampton Pride, Boston Pride, and Youth Pride and will have another push to gather new I AM: Trans People Speak video stories.

In addition to our new events and initiatives, we will continue to lead the legislative effort on An Act Relative to Equal Access in Hospitals, Public Transportation, Nursing Homes, Supermarkets, Retail Establishments, and all other places open to the public. MTPC will also be supporting An Act Regulating Use of Credit Reports by Employers, An Act to provide housing and support services to unaccompanied homeless youth, and An Act Relative to Abusive Practices to Change Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity in Minors.

Our committees are responsible for so much of the hard work MTPC accomplishes and are a great way for community members to join our ongoing efforts. Our Policy Committee develops transgender-inclusive policies and best practices for state agencies and other organizations. Kaleidoscope develops programming, provides leadership opportunities, and holds a bi-monthly gender discussion group for people of color of all genders and sexualities. Our Interfaith Committee (ICTE) educates faith communities on inclusion and celebration of trans youth, adults, and families in all congregations. Please contact us if you’re interested in joining us in this important work.

Thank you in advance to our hardworking staff in the MTPC office, to the dedicated members of the steering committee, and to each and every one of the incredible transgender individuals and allies who make up the MTPC family. I know that I will have a successful experience as interim director because of all of you amazing folks. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Best,
Jesse Begenyi

Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition
P.O. Box 960784, Boston, MA 02196
Office: 617-778-0519 x5
jesseb@masstpc.org

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MTPC Releases “Best Practices for Serving Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students in Schools”

small K-12 Best Practices01The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) has released its best practice recommendations concerning equal and fair treatment, rights and safety of transgender and gender non-conforming youth in K-12 schools. “Best Practices for Serving Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students in Schools,” is being made available free to all school districts in the state on MTPC’s website (masstpc.org/issues/education). This complements the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education “Guidance for Massachusetts Public Schools: Creating a Safe and Supportive School Environment – Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity.”

These best practices provide additional tools for school administrators, teachers and superintendents in implementing the 2011 Act Relative to Gender Identity for gender identity non-discrimination in K-12 public schools. These recommendations were developed by the MTPC Policy Committee and reflect the best educational practice models used in other school systems with existing gender identity non-discrimination laws, policies and regulations in other states, in addition to policy recommendations developed by LGBT think tanks and LGBT education policy specialists.

MTPC’s Executive Director Gunner Scott said, “The evidence is overwhelming that transgender and gender non-conforming youth need active school support and protection for their physical and mental health and educational well-being. I applaud the Massachusetts legislature and Governor Deval Patrick for the passage and enactment of the 2011 Act Relative to Gender Identity law, which requires non-discrimination on the basis of gender identity in the areas of education, employment, housing and credit/lending.”

Transgender and gender non-conforming youth experience overwhelming amounts of harassment and discrimination in schools across the Commonwealth and throughout the nation. The 2007 National School Climate Survey conducted by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) found that 87% of transgender students had been verbally harassed in the previous year because of their gender expression, and more than a quarter had been physically assaulted. More than half of those who were victimized did not report the events to school authorities.

“We look forward to collaborating with school administrators, superintendents and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in utilizing these best practice recommendations in all Massachusetts school districts,” said Julian Cyr, chair of the Massachusetts Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth.  “The Commission is committed to continuing to collaborate with educators, policy makers and community partners such as MTPC to provide technical assistance and professional development to ensure that teachers and schools have the tools they need to fully support transgender and gender-nonconforming students.”

Scott said, “These recommendations were prepared by the MTPC Policy Committee and reflect the best educational practice models used in other school systems with existing gender identity non-discrimination laws, policies and regulations in other states, in addition to policy recommendations developed by LGBT think tanks and LGBT education policy specialists.”

These recommendations include examples of: how to address transgender students by their preferred names and pronouns in records and in the classroom; how to provide updated copies of high school diplomas when students’ names are changed; and ways to keep students’ transgender status confidential, unless necessary to ensure the students’ safety.

In addition to the 2011 law, the Massachusetts Superior and Appeals Courts ruled in October 2000 and February 2001, respectively, that Massachusetts public schools may not prohibit transgender students from expressing their gender identities and are afforded the same protections and rights under the law as other students.

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Founded in 2001, the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) is a 501(c)(3) that works to end discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression. MTPC educates the public; advocates with state, local, and federal government; engages in activism; and encourages empowerment of community members through collective action. MTPC is a member of the Trans Advocacy Network, the Equality Federation, and the Massachusetts Transgender Equal Rights Coalition.

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Keeping the Trans in Black History Month

It’s a busy month here at MTPC. We are thrilled that we helped secure 59 cosponsors for the Equal Access Bill filing, and that’s just the beginning of our work with the bill. Also, Executive Director Gunner Scott announced that he’s leaving MTPC at the end of February, so we’re preparing for a smooth transition for incoming MTPC Interim Director Jesse Begenyi.

It’s important to pause now to acknowledge the importance of Black History Month. At MTPC, we try to focus on intersectional issues in the trans community year-round. We’re sadly not in a post-racial society, so we still need to take advantage of occasions like Black History Month to shed needed light on problems that affect black trans people disproportionately. The National Transgender Discrimination Survey confirmed that “the combination of anti-transgender with structural and individual racism meant that transgender people of color experience particularly devastating levels of discrimination.” More details are available in “Injustice at Every Turn: A Report of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, A Look at Black Respondents,” which you can download as a PDF here.

We also need to honor the black activists who have been an important part of the trans movement from the beginning (just as trans people were active in the civil rights movement). For instance, Miss Major and Marsha P. Johnson were both prominent figures in the Stonewall Uprising. Although Stonewall* is often cited as the beginning of the (often white-washed and cis-washed) gay rights movement, trans women of color were right there leading the way.

Last year, Monica Roberts did this excellent piece for Ebony offering A Look at African-American Trans Trailblazers. Rather than quoting her excellent work at length, I’m just going to send you over there to read it. (If you don’t know who Lucy Hicks Anderson was, you’ll be glad you learned.)

 

* Speaking of Stonewall, we hope that in future speeches President Obama will open up his language surrounding LGBT rights to explicitly say “transgender” and “bisexual” and not just continue to say “gay and lesbian.”

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Educators, Advocates, Youth & Families Applaud New Guidance for Implementing Transgender Non- Discrimination Law in Public Schools

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on Feb. 15 issued comprehensive guidelines that aim to ensure Massachusetts public schools comply with the new transgender non-discrimination law that prohibits discrimination against transgender students in all school programs and activities. The DESE guidelines were praised by an array of advocates, educators, families and youth.

“The guidelines offer practical, expert advice to ensure that transgender students have equal educational opportunities including the chance to learn in a safe, affirming environment,” said Jennifer Levi, director of GLAD’s Transgender Rights Project. “GLAD applauds DESE for issuing commonsense guidance and for taking leadership in ensuring schools’ compliance with the new law.”

“This very practical guidance answers the questions we hear over and over, giving schools, parents, and students a blueprint for implementing change,” said Deborah Peeples, board president of Greater Boston PFLAG and the parent of a transgender youth. “As primary advocates, parents and families need to know how we can expect schools to handle critical issues like proper name and pronoun usage, privacy, and access to both appropriate facilities and opportunities. It’s much easier to move forward when we’re all on the same page and working together. Kudos to the DESE.”

“Coming out as transgender in school is such a difficult process and being unable to be out and feel safe is detrimental to a person’s education,” said Carter Blake, a 23-year-old graduate of Dorchester High School who is transgender. “I think these guidelines, which will help schools make transgender students feel safe and respected at school, will make a real difference in the lives of transgender kids in school across our state, and that’s a good thing.”

“Research shows that transgender and gender non-conforming students suffer higher rates of verbal harassment, physical harassment, and physical assault in school. We also know that there is a lot of misunderstanding about transgender students and that some schools may not have the internal expertise to address all issues of concern as they arise,” said Gunner Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition. “MTPC is grateful to DESE for issuing such practical guidance and identifying the steps that schools can take to create a safer and more welcoming environment for transgender youth in our Commonwealth’s schools.”

Among the areas that the guidelines address are:

  • The proper use of names and pronouns for transgender students
  • Privacy and confidentiality policies for transgender students
  • Appropriate names and gender markers on student records, including diplomas
  • Appropriate access to restrooms and locker rooms
  • Physical education and athletic participation
  • Education and training for teachers about transgender students

“Transgender students, like all students, need a school environment where they are treated fairly and respectfully so that they can focus on getting the education that they need and deserve,” said Grace Sterling Stowell, the executive director of Boston Alliance of GLBT Youth (BAGLY). “The DESE guidance gives our public schools the tools to create just that environment.”

“We commend the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the speedy release of guidance that spells out in no uncertain terms the protections assured to transgender and gender nonconforming students in Massachusetts,” said Julian Cyr, chair of the Mass. Commission for GLBT Youth. “Under Governor Patrick’s leadership, state agencies continue to close gaps in service delivery and education policy that persist for LGBT youth in the Commonwealth. This guidance is an important step toward leveling the playing field for transgender students.”

“This guidance from DESE is going to make an immediate difference in the lives of transgender students, who desperately need protection and leadership from our schools,” said Kara Suffredini, executive director of MassEquality. “We appreciate DESE’s role in making sure that transgender students across our Commonwealth have the same educational opportunities that all students in our public schools enjoy.”

“As a former high school teacher, I know the vast majority of educators are well-intentioned and want to create a climate of respect and safety so that all of their students can reach their full potential,” said Arthur Lipkin, who spent 20 years teaching in Cambridge’s school system. “As a long-serving member of the Mass. Commission for GLBT Youth, I also know that there is a learning curve on the part of many educators on transgender issues. The guidance gives them important tools to provide properly for the safety and educational needs of transgender students, and I commend DESE for its leadership in creating it. Of course, the results will depend on the resources made available to schools for technical assistance and training. We need to be vigilant and constructive.”

The Transgender Equal Rights Law, officially titled “An Act Relative to Gender Identity,” was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Deval Patrick in November 2011. It took effect in July 2012. The law prohibits discrimination against transgender people in the areas of employment, housing, credit, and education. It also amended the state’s definition of a hate crime to include crimes motivated by prejudice against a person’s gender identity.

You can read the guidelines here.

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Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders is New England’s leading legal organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status, and gender identity and expression.

Founded in 2001, the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) is a 501(c)(3) that works to end discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression. 

 

 

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