{"hideHelpPopover":false,"initialLocked":false,"showLock":false,"fieldName":"rich_why","initialValue":"[Introduce yourself and why you're passionate about this issue.]

All young people should have the opportunity to do well in school and graduate, and schools should work to support all of their students. Right now, though, some youth are being singled out simply because of who they are.

Our schools might tell a transgender girl, for example, that she can't prepare for P.E. with the other girls, forcing her to miss gym class and lose credits she needs to graduate. Transgender boys are told that they can't use the boys' bathroom, leading some to stop drinking water all day to avoid the stigma and harassment of walking into a girls' bathroom when they live their life as a boy.

Kids who are transgender have known on a deep level that their gender is different from the sex they were born with. Like other young people, transgender youth just want to go to school with their friends and get an education. Being singled out and excluded can be devastating for a young person, making it harder for them to focus in class and even make it through the day.

In 2014, the U.S. Department of Education issued guidelines making it clear that transgender students are protected from discrimination under Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination. Several states have had guidelines in place for years ensuring all youth can fully participate in school as themselves. One state, California, enacted a law in 2013 that gives important guidance to schools so they can work with youth and families on a case-by-case basis to ensure every student can succeed. The California School Board Association has issued guidance for districts, encouraging them to adopt policies to ensure all youth can fully participate in school as themselves. Several school districts the country have adopted policies to support all students, including LAUSD, the second largest district in the country, which has had a policy in place for years and no problems have ever arisen. Yet in our district, young people are struggling daily, with their education, health, and well-being at risk.

Please support all students in our district, so that all youth have a chance to do well in school and thrive.","label":"Why is this important?","required":true,"validationErrors":[],"helpPopoverContent":"This is what you'd say to a friend if you were trying to explain why you cared about this issue. Try to use a combination of facts and stories so you appeal to people's heads and hearts."}

Give transgender youth the opportunity to succeed!

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