Transgender Day of Visibility proclamation adopted by Elk Grove Schools; Trustee Michael Vargas issues resolute statement in support of Transgender students
https://www.elkgrovenews.net/2024/03/transgender-day-of-visibility.html
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| EGUSD issued a far-reaching statement in defense of Transgender and Non-binary students during the trustees meeting. | |
At last night's Elk Grove Unified School District meeting, trustees adopted a resolution recognizing March 31 as Transgender Visibility Day. The the resolution was adopted after Trustee Michael Vargas read a far-reaching commentary supporting it and after hearing some public comments indirectly criticizing it. .
During public comment, most speakers supported the proclamation. However, some speakers didn't criticize the proclamation per se but pointed to a controversy at a district elementary school.
Recently, there was a dust-up at EGUSD's Pleasant Grove Elementary School when a teacher reportedly secretly organized an LGBTQ+ club called UBU. Some parents opposed the action.
Commenting on the formation of clubs was Connie Rucker, who expressed concern the clubs were directed at third to fifth-grade students, who she said are malleable.
"I don't know too many students who really understand who they are," she said. "You can be swayed so easily at such a young age."
Also speaking to trustees was EGUSD Area 7 candidate Heidi Moore. A frequent speaker at meetings, Ms. Moore, condemned the district for distributing a sheet inviting teachers to a training session counter resistance to rainbow clubs.
Moore noted she obtained the sheet from an elementary school teacher who said they were alarmed by the distribution. Additionally, Moore said the Pleasant Grove Elementary School UBU club was formed without parental knowledge.
"It was sent a few weeks after parents discovered a secretive lunchtime UBU club at Pleasant Grove Elementary School," Moore said. "Oddly, the district has not given much response to the parent, but shortly after the incident, sent this flyer out to all teachers."
There were, however, more people who spoke in support of the proclamation.
Among those speaking via Zoom teleconference in favor of the resolution was Amaranta, who used them and they for pronouns and urged trustees to adopt the resolution. Amaranta appeared via Zoom but said they did not want to attend in person to avoid hostilities directed at they and others.
"I'm coming to you over Zoom, not in person, because, to be honest, speaking on these issues in the same room as people who refuse to respect or understand me an my community, much less include us, takes to big of a toll on my mental health," Amaranta said.
During deliberations, Area 7 Trustee Carmine Forcina said the proclamation is separate from the flyer Ms. Moore spoke about and the Pleasant Grove Elementary School club.
He noted, "The flyer did not come out of the superintendent's office, and that is being investigated."
Additionally, Trustee Michael Vargas made a lengthy and far-reaching statement on the proclamation and the current state of affairs relating to LGBQT+ issues.
"We need to see culture war rhetoric for what it is, and reject the fear mongering of political activist," he said.
The proclamation was adopted 6 - 0. Trustee Tony Perez was absent.
Vargas' statement can be viewed in the video below.
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I had a classmate way back when you was gay, and maybe upon reflection, transgender. Regardless, this classmate lived in fear that if his parents found out he would have the crap beat out of him by his dad and then sent to some sort of conversion therapy in Idaho.
These narrow-minded parents never seem to understand that if one kid can be saved and protected from physical and mental abuse at home, it is all worth it.
If these kids can't get protected at school, where are they supposed to go, church!
I've heard over the years several parents, my sister included, who said when their child came out as gay, "it's just a phase" . Well, reality check, being gay is not phase you can get "swayed" by. Its not a "lifestyle choice". Drugs, crime, those are things kids get confused and into. A UBU club sounds harmless, what is harmful is some parents attitudes toward LGBTQ and possibly that includes their own kids. Kids are discovering themselves and if they do explore gender roles what is the harm, reaaly?
I've heard over the years several parents, my sister included, who said when their child came out as gay, "it's just a phase" . Well, reality check, being gay is not phase you can get "swayed" by. Its not a "lifestyle choice". Drugs, crime, those are things kids get confused and into. A UBU club sounds harmless, what is harmful is some parents attitudes toward LGBTQ and possibly that includes their own kids. Kids are discovering themselves and if they do explore gender roles what is the harm, reaaly?
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