By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
When word came down from the Obama administration today that transgender students should be able to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identities, it did not send Bowling Green High School into a panic.
Principal Jeff Dever said the high school already has taken steps to make transgender students feel safe and welcome – by having a restroom identified for transgender students and by calling students by their chosen names and pronouns.
A directive is being sent to school districts throughout the nation today saying that public schools must allow transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their chosen gender identity. The directive comes with no new legal requirements, but clarifies expectations of school districts that receive federal funding.
It is not clear yet if Bowling Green’s separate restroom meets those qualifications, but Dever said it seems to be meeting transgender students’ needs.
“What I have heard from students is their greatest angst comes from using the restroom,” he said this morning. “I understand that completely.”
For the students, the separate restroom seems to be a sufficient solution. “I haven’t had any complaints,” Dever said.
Though the issue of transgender students has long existed at the high school, Dever said it has changed with the visibility of Caitlyn Jenner.
“It’s more of an issue here at school now,” he said. “It’s come to the forefront.”
That may bring about locker room changes soon. Devers said the school has not designated a transgender locker room yet because none of the current handful of transgender students are on athletic teams. However, with five locker rooms, the school should be able to identify one as transgender if the need arises, he said.
The school also tries to accommodate transgender students in other ways. As soon as the student identifies as the other sex, the staff is instructed to use the student’s chosen name and matching pronoun.
“I’ve been told anecdotally that we handle it pretty well,” Dever said.
“As a public school we have a moral obligation to serve everybody,” the principal said. If a student identifies with a different gender, “we’re going to support them as much as we can.”
Most of the student body at the high school is similarly accepting. The BGHS Gay Straight Alliance was honored earlier this year by the city’s Human Relations Commission for its work in making all students feel safe and welcome at school.
“They are students who support their friends and classmates,” Dever said.
But while many of the students are accepting, some are not, according to the principal.
“I think for some of our students, it’s always going to be an issue,” he said. “I just have to keep my eyes and ears open.”
The same can be said for staff, most who are sensitive to student needs.
“I’m not so naïve to think that some of my staff doesn’t have some resentment,” to transgender students, Dever said. But that type of intolerance will not be tolerated, he added.
The principal also said he has received threats from a few community members who feel the school is treating the issue too liberally.
“I’ve had some backlash,” he said. “You know what, that’s OK. We’re doing the right thing.”
