Transgender policy, club approved at school board meeting

The Grand Coulee Dam School District board has approved a policy related to transgender students and allowed the continuance of a club for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and straight ally students.

At the Oct. 22 school board meeting, the board approved without much discussion a transgender policy that states:

“The board believes in fostering an educational environment that is safe and free of discrimination for all students, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression,” the policy reads. “To that end, the board recognizes the importance of an inclusive approach toward transgender students with regard to official records, confidential health and education information, communication, restroom and locker room accessibility, sports and physical education, dress codes and any school activity, in order to provide these students with an equal opportunity for learning and achievement.”

The policy says that it won’t force students to use a restroom inconsistent with the gender they identify with, and it prohibits harassment or intimidation of such students.

At the same meeting, Lake Roosevelt World History and Civics teacher Brandon Keene, asked by students to be an advisor for an LGBTQ+ club, addressed the board.

Keene told the board that students had gathered 29 signatures in support for the club.

“The reasoning for this petition is to create a safe zone club for LGBTQ+ students to have a place to talk and share,” Keene read from the petition. “It would be for students to meet, to talk, to understand, and relate to/with students who identify within the LGBTQ+ community and also with straight allies.”

“These are all fantastic and enthusiastic students,” Keene said. “A lot of them are athletes and are active in the student body. I’m really excited to be a part of this; I can’t wait to sit back and watch this happen.”

School Board Chairman Rich Black explained that the club had existed in the past, and had never been removed, and so the students could proceed with hosting the club.