Trans and gender expansive students protected by the newly adopted policy ACAAA in Gray-New Gloucester are trying to do the bravest thing imaginable: Express their identity in the spotlight of significant public scrutiny. In our current culture, trans youth face the potential to be joked about, dismissed, dead-named, misgendered, harassed and/or bullied. Yet, in spite of these challenges, these students walk through the school doors and try to learn. How do we honor that courage? Call them by their names and keep them safe.

About one in seven Maine students identifies as LGBTQ, the Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey has found. According to the Trevor Project, youth in LGBTQ-affirming schools report lower rates of attempting suicide. The more we use and affirm their chosen names and identities, the better students’ mental health.

Trans youth may not have parental support – yet. Coming out to parents can take time. Trans youth may not have overall societal support – yet. Cultural shifts also take time and education. A school’s job is to educate, support and protect all students. Gray-New Gloucester’s vision statement says: “We, the community, students and staff, aspire to form an educational partnership that will provide a safe, caring and challenging academic environment where all learn, succeed, grow, mature and meet high standards.” For this most vulnerable student population, the “safe, caring” part is now codified with policy ACAAA.

Thank you to the Gray-New Gloucester school board and Superintendent Craig King for their collective work to support trans and gender expansive students.

Mary Pennington
Durham