This is regarding Gardiner Area Middle School bathroom use by trans kids, (“Gardiner school district community remains divided over transgender student policy,” March 1).

My mind goes first to the idea of being uncomfortable using the bathroom with “that type of person.” What type of person? A child? A fellow student? A neighbor? A person who goes to school frightened every day, worried they might get beaten up? A child who, like every other child, just wants to belong, to be liked and accepted?

My mind then went to what type of education the student body been given about transgender students? Are they being taught factually about being transgender? Are they taught that trans kids are not perverts or that they aren’t dying to get a glimpse under the skirt of a student of another gender? Is this why floor-to-ceiling bathroom walls have been recommended? Do they hear accurate reports about children like 16-year-old Nex Benedict of Oklahoma, a non-binary student, who recently was beaten by a gang of girls in a school bathroom and died the following day?

Third, the article claims the community is divided by this issue. But is it? Or is it a small group of uneducated or religiously rigid parents who have big voices? Further, about this petition against sharing bathrooms ‘allegedly’ signed by 150 students. This is contrary to any experience I have had or have heard spoken of. Students, by far, are accepting of trans kids. They’ve adapted to the new reality and have no problem with it.

Lastly, what exactly is it that people are afraid of in trans kids? What do people think is wrong with them?

The resolution should rest on the fact the Maine Supreme Court, in 2014, discussed, dissected, debated, and decided transgender students in Maine can use the bathroom of their choice.

 

Maggie Ricker

Augusta

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