‘Sadly, a trend’: Kansas City LGBTQ group wants answers on hate incidents at schools
Members of Kansas City’s LGBTQ Commission are pushing for school districts to provide answers and adopt better policies to ensure the safety of LGBTQ students following a series of hate incidents.
The commission held an emergency meeting Monday night in response to at least five such incidents at area schools in recent weeks. A Kansas City high school English teacher, for example, was placed on administrative leave last week for making degrading comments against people who identify as LGBTQ, and who are Muslim.
“What we’re starting to see sadly is a trend happen across the metro regarding LGBTQ youth,” said member Justice Horn, who is running for Jackson County Legislature. “We can never be too cautious on this issue because those who are LGBTQ youth already have higher rates of depression, anxiety, as well as thoughts of suicide.”
Member Stef Sloan said the commission has learned of several issues in school districts regarding pronoun policies, student privacy rights and how LGBTQ+ issues are discussed in class. And member Riley Long added that many districts do not have strong enough policies on keeping student information, such as sexual orientation, gender identity and pronouns, confidential, especially in more complicated situations where students have not yet come out at home.
Sloan said the commission also has struggled to receive answers from districts, many of which have disclosed few details about investigations or actions taken in light of the recent incidents.
Some members said they believe districts should work with organizations to implement better policies and training to ensure that LGBTQ students are protected and granted their right to privacy, and that their pronouns and experiences are respected. They plan to reach out to Gay-Straight Alliance members and others in the community to determine next steps.
The commission agreed that it would hold a town hall meeting to speak with students, parents and community members, although details are not yet decided.
Earlier this school year, the Independence school district removed the option for students to display their preferred pronouns on Canvas, the district’s virtual learning platform. The district didn’t explain why it removed the option.
Hundreds of students walked out of Lee’s Summit High School in support of a gay student who had faced harassment and bullying, leading to a fight that left one student injured. Students claimed that the district did not do enough to protect them, despite voicing concerns long before the fight occurred.
Jim McMullen, a Blue Valley school board candidate running in Tuesday’s election, has faced backlash in recent weeks for a series of social media posts that some have called transphobic. And other board candidates have campaigned on ridding school libraries of some LGBTQ books they deem inappropriate due to sexual content.
Also last week, several Olathe parents were upset after high school students in a human growth and development class were given a worksheet that asked questions about their gender identities. The handout included the “Gender Unicorn,” an illustration chart promoted by some LGBTQ organizations that helps kids describe and define their sexuality, identity and expression.
While advocates believe it is important for youth to learn about these topics, some brought up questions about privacy and whether students were asked to fill out the worksheet in class, worried that could potentially out an LGBTQ student.
Olathe district officials said in a statement that the worksheet was not approved curriculum and it was “not appropriate for students and asked questions that could violate their personal privacy rights. Students who received the worksheet have been asked not to complete it.”
Sloan, who is a researcher and instructor in human development with the University of Kansas, said that gender identity and gender development have long been a part of college-level human development curriculum. They said it is important for high school students to be introduced to the concepts to better prepare them for college.
“Gender identity isn’t a political statement. It is a part of human development,” they said. “And it’s an important aspect of learning for all of our students.”
Chair Moon Glasgow Brown said the commission would reach out to the Olathe district to explain how the illustration can be a helpful tool for students to understand their identity and expression, as well as how to use it appropriately without violating students’ privacy rights.
Commission members also plan to reach out to Kansas City Public Schools and demand more answers about the ongoing investigation into the teacher at Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, who made comments against Muslims and LGBTQ+ people during an English class.
The teacher was removed from the classroom after administrators were made aware of the statements, including some that were captured by a student on an audio recording.
In a letter sent to families, Principal Kristian Foster said, “We had students approach us with concerns about the topics and sentiments shared with them relating to religious beliefs and texts during their class time. We are grateful for our students sharing their concerns with us.”
“Please know that these comments are being investigated and reviewed.”
Commission members said they hope to form stronger partnerships across several districts, and possibly create a task force, to continue pushing for policies that will protect LGBTQ students. But they said they first need the community’s input, and are urging residents to step up and voice their opinions on what should be done.
This story was originally published November 1, 2021 at 9:36 PM.
