Following over an hour of public comment, the FBISD board of trustees approved the new policy in a 5-2 vote at the April 14 board meeting. Trustees Angie Hanan and Shirley Rose-Gilliam voted against the policy, citing concerns of creating an unsafe environment for transgender students.
However, trustees who approved the policy said it solidifies existing procedures and ensures family involvement in their child’s life.
“We're just saying we want to make sure parents are OK with the teachers using their preferred name or pronouns," trustee Rick Garcia said. “The one thing we can't do is keep it a secret from parents.”
The overview
According to board documents, the approved policy states:
- Staff can't ask for preferred pronouns and must inform parents if a student changes their name, identifies as transgender or uses different pronouns
- Students must compete in sports and use facilities that match their birth-assigned sex
- Staff can't diagnose gender dysphoria, and materials promoting gender fluidity will be removed
- Even with parental permission, no one is required to use a student’s preferred pronouns
Board President Kristin Tassin said at the April 7 agenda review meeting that the policy doesn’t change anything from the already-existing procedures approved in fall 2023. However, Hanan said the policy fails to capture a sympathetic tone and protect students from gender-based harassment.
“Our [gender identity] procedures include directions to provide a supportive climate, a safe learning environment and to demonstrate care and compassion for every single child,” Hanan said. “This policy does not.”
Despite Hanan’s request, the procedures haven’t been made public at this time, according to the board documents.
Community Impact requested information about existing procedures from Chris Gilbert, FBISD interim general counsel, but he couldn’t be reached by press.
What they’re saying
During public comment, nearly 40 parents, students, teachers and community members shared their opposition to the policy, many referencing the heightened risks of suicide among transgender youth that is exacerbated by threats to their safety in school and at home, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Landon Richie, a former FBISD student and policy coordinator for transgender education at nonprofit Equality Texas, said he received the “life-saving” support as a student that this policy would prohibit.
“[The policy] will exacerbate the risk of suicide, self harm that transgender youth face because of discrimination, lack of support and social stigma,” Richie said. “We’re simply asking not to be bullied or harmed by the adults or school boards and the school administrations with the power to make decisions on their lives.”
FBISD teacher Brandie Dowda said she believes many students would be endangered by repercussions they face from their parents. Dowda said she believes FBISD is an inclusive district but this policy accomplishes the opposite.
“Too many times I've had to make [Child Protective Services] calls,” Dowda said. “I do not want to have to be forced to out my students in an environment where they may not be safe.”
However, three community members spoke in favor of the policy, including Carlos Jones, lead pastor of the Inspiration Church in Missouri City.
“This policy is about safeguarding our children, ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have access to space that respects their dignity and privacy,” Jones said. “We must address the issue of gender fluidity in our classrooms. Our teachers are educators, not experimenters.”
Looking ahead
Despite some concerns about student safety, Rose-Gilliam said she hopes the implementation will reflect the “compassion” many students have experienced from their teachers at FBISD.
“Educators will be here to work with our students and have understanding, because that's what we do in [FBISD],” Rose-Gilliam said. “I trust our principals and teachers and our staff to continue to take care of our students.”
