The world of transgenderism has come to the city school system of Decatur (CSD), and things look bleak for reality-based Decatur families. This was apparent from the largely respectful but sometimes emotional discussion at last week’s Board of Education meeting.
At issue was a set of radical guidelines implemented by Superintendent David Dude specifying required accommodations for CSD students suffering from gender dysphoria (transgenderism).
Decatur parents discovered this plan in February when a July 2016 staff memo from Dude appeared on social media. The memo contained guidelines – never approved by the board or submitted to parents – requiring that staff open all restrooms, locker rooms, sports teams, and overnight accommodations to both sexes. Although CSD has enforced general non-discrimination language for 10 years, Dude’s mandate is something new and troubling. These guidelines are even more extreme than the Obama administration “guidance” of 2016, which at least acknowledged problems with male athletes’ competing against female athletes. Dude had no such qualms.
Horrified CSD parents could think of no greater abdication of the school’s responsibility to protect their children’s privacy, safety, and dignity than allowing members of one sex to enter the most private spaces of the other. And they objected to the wholesale inversion of federal protections (Title IX) for girls’ athletic opportunities. (See here and here for how girls are disadvantaged by being pitted against male athletes.)
So these parents demanded the board review the policy and consider the public input that Dude had excluded. Thus the discussion last Tuesday.
The board signaled its proclivities at a pre-meeting work session. One “expert” invited to discuss gender dysphoria was a minister who “transitioned” 20 years ago, and who offered historical information but little scientific data. The other was a Georgia State University professor who admitted that transgender individuals make up less than .4 percent of the population. The professor identified himself as “cisgender” (a made-up word that refers to accepting one’s biological sex) and declared that modifying the transgender policy will cause kids to kill themselves. For what it’s worth, he also revealed that he trained at the Kinsey Institute, which was founded by a sexologist who can most charitably be described as a moral monster.
With the “scientific” information coming solely from these two, the deck would appear to be stacked.
Most statements made at the subsequent public meeting supported the transgender policy, not surprising for Decatur, long a magnet for hyper-diversity and left-wing activism. Parents and current or former CSD students spoke about struggling with gender dysphoria. Many commenters on the other side acknowledged this difficulty but urged a compassionate accommodation that protects all students.
In this environment, it’s notable that anyone dared oppose the policy (15 speakers did, and one parent confided after the meeting many others had concerns but were simply afraid to speak out). They related their children’s discomfort at having to change clothes or engage in other private functions alongside a member of the opposite sex. They objected to the non-transparent creation of the policy, and to the schools’ usurping their parental rights to address these issues on their own timetable and transmit their own values to their children.
Several African-American speakers took exception to Dude’s suggestion that restricting private spaces to members of a single sex (permitted by Title IX regulations) is the same as Jim Crow racial segregation. They recognized the difference between race and sex, as did everyone in the world until about day before yesterday.
Vernadette Broyles, an attorney representing some of the parents, warned the new policy violates students’ right to privacy, parental rights, first amendment rights, and Title IX. Board members seem unconcerned the increased legal liability.
The board didn’t take a vote and pledged instead to hold input sessions so that all stakeholders can be heard. Most members indicated, however, that they support the policy and doubt it will change. There was little acknowledgement that non-dysphoric students could have legitimate concerns; the problems of the dysphoric were clearly considered more important.
An indicator of whether the board members have open minds will be their response to an offer from a pediatric endocrinologist who has treated gender-dysphoric patients for decades. He warned that despite the propaganda, there is no medical consensus that the policy in question is the best way to handle the condition. He urged the board to take a thoughtful, balanced approach, and offered his services to help.
If the board invites him to return and provide input, there’s hope. If not, the fix is in. Parents in other districts should brace themselves – their kids will be next.
Attorney Jane Robbins of Atlanta is a senior fellow at the American Principles Project.
