All students, including LGBTQ+ students, need someone they can attach to and feel supported by.   Educators must create and protect a school culture that respects all students, and where everyone feels comfortable and supported.  There are many ways that a school culture can support student inclusiveness, including intervening when homophobic language or actions occur, not overreacting to a student who “comes out”, and protecting the free-speech of all students to openly express their thoughts and feelings regarding gender identity.  Access to extracurricular activities, including participation in state-sponsored athletic associations, is another way to show support for LGBTQ+ students.

Equally important is the task of protecting the rights of girls granted in Title IX.   Since Title IX’s inception in 1972, women and girls have made great strides in obtaining gender equity, not only in the classroom, but also on the playing field.  How best to balance the rights of girls and transgender athletes is controversial.  The science on the impact of transgender athletes competing in junior high and high school girls’ sports (where it is allowed, such as Connecticut for example), is new and not yet fully formed to make broad statements that transgender athletes have no significant competitive advantage, and never negatively impact other girls’ athletic results that they are competing against.  Ten years from now, or sooner, I believe we will have scientifically verified examples of how transgender athletes competing in girls’ sports negatively impacted numerous girls. I predict that over time that evidence will mount .  As that evidence comes in, I would suggest we do the same for LGBTQ+ student-athletes as we do in the Special Olympics.  We could have LGBTQ+ only competitions, or designated lanes, awards, etc. for LGBTQ+ athletes only.    

I want all genders to be able to compete in athletics.  Athletic competition is valuable to students' physical, intellectual, social and character development.   I hope we can find a compromise that allows transgender athletes to enjoy athletic participation, but not at the expense of ignoring the legitimate concerns of parents who have daughters competing for athletic achievements, college scholarships and business endorsements.