Support transgender and nonbinary kids in NHC Schools!

Posted January 25th, 2023 in Uncategorized.

Support transgender and nonbinary kids in NHC Schools!

We are deeply disheartened that on February 7, 2023 the New Hanover County Board of Education will reconsider Policy 3620, regarding middle school athletics, with the goal of excluding trans children. We need your help!

Please email the board letting them know that our trans kids deserve to play! Our trans and nonbinary students are entitled to the opportunity to play and be themselves without interference or harassment. Please let the school board know that you do not support the proposed anti-trans amendments to Policy 3620 by emailing them.

Contact: boardmembersemail@nhcs.net

 

Some helpful information when reaching out:
  • Title IX prohibits sex discrimination, which includes discrimination on the basis of transgender identity. According to federal court rulings, Title IX and the U.S. Constitution protect transgender student-athletes against sex-based discrimination. Both the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education also interpret Title IX to prohibit such discrimination.
  • The proposed 3620 Athletics Policy aims to require students to endure a process similar to that of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Not only is this policy invasive and age-inappropriate for middle school students, New Hanover County Schools also lack any infrastructure to administer this policy.
  • Having no functional way to administer this policy equates to a denial of fair opportunity. The trans and nonbinary middle school children currently participating in athletics would be summarily denied the opportunity to play. This is unfair and wrong, as well as a violation of numerous existing laws and policies.
  • The effect of this type of discrimination is clear. 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth. These figures are unacceptable and government-sanctioned discrimination like the proposed policy contribute directly to these outcomes. LGBTQ+ youth are not inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, but are put at higher risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society.

Please contact us if you have any questions. Thank you!