ACLU demands apology for Iowa transgender student

[TexasTowelie]

The ACLU of Iowa is demanding an apology for a transgender student in Newton they say was improperly prevented from expressing a political message and subsequently called "girl" by a teacher, despite coming out as a boy two years prior.

The sophomore wrote "love trumps hate" on his arm but was forced to either wash it off or leave school, which would have resulted in disciplinary actions, the ACLU wrote in a letter to the Newton school district. During an exchange, a gym teacher twice told the student, who identifies as a boy, "don't be drawing on yourself, girl."

While the incident happened in November, the ACLU sent the letter Friday, just two days after the Trump administration withdrew federal guidance on how transgender students should be treated in public schools.

The letter also coincides with the 48th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court case, Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District, which affirmed students' First Amendment right to free speech in school.

Read more: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/education/2017/02/24/aclu-demands-apology-iowa-transgender-student/98350762/

[Cairycat]

1. I well remember going round and round with teachers/admin

at my daughter's junior high. They were upset that she would write stuff on her hands. Just goofy stuff - the only one I can remember now is "John Waters is God". A couple teachers and the principal wanted me to forbid her to do that. I remember thinking at the time that making a big deal of the writing was only going to reinforce her wanting to. After some emailing, I agreed that she couldn't write on her hands during school, but I let them know I wasn't about to tell her not to at home. I can't begin to imagine the complexities and prejudices if she was transgender. The gym teacher in the story was clearly out of line.

Fast forward more than a decade later, she's a hardworking, smart young woman who's not afraid to speak her mind - she just doesn't do it by writing on her hands any more.

[progressoid]

2. A Jr high student that writes "John Waters is God"

Last edited Tue Feb 28, 2017, 12:34 PM - Edit history (1)

deserves an extra gold star!!

Sounds like you raised a great daughter.



editd: Sorry I had so many typos. Kind of hard to do on my phone with two fingers bandaged!