Statewide education coalition opposes proposed
State Board of Education anti-LGBTQ+ resolution
Honesty for Ohio Education urges Ohioans to SAY NO!
to efforts to roll back rights and disregard the law
to efforts to roll back rights and disregard the law
September 14, 2022 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COLUMBUS — Today, Honesty for Ohio Education released this statement opposing a proposed State Board of Education resolution targeting LGBTQ+ students and rejecting Title IX protections.
All Ohioans want their young people to be in safe, welcoming learning environments that foster growth and development, and families of LGBTQ+ students are no exception. These young Ohioans have a right to be included and protected, and recent changes to Title IX protect these rights and shield LGBTQ+ students from harmful discrimination.
But the so-called “Resolution to Support Parents, Schools, and Districts in Rejecting Harmful, Coercive, and Burdensome Gender Identity Policies,'' set to be introduced at the State Board of Education on Tuesday, September 20, attempts to invalidate these federal protections for LGBTQ+ youth in schools, spreads harmful falsehoods about LGBTQ+ people, and advocates that local school districts ignore the law.
The resolution proposes requiring schools to out LGBTQ+ children to their parents no matter the circumstances and ban transgender youth from participating in sports or using facilities that align with their gender identity. It also advocates that state lawmakers use public resources to pay for penalties incurred by school districts for ignoring Title IX legal protections.
The resolution further requires the Ohio state superintendent to send a letter directing all Ohio school districts to oppose and disregard recent Title IX changes and not amend district policies in accordance with the law. It also asks the state to provide stopgap funding to schools that do not comply with the updated Title IX regulations.
“The State Board of Education must stop this toxic resolution in its tracks,” said Cynthia Peeples, founding director of Honesty for Ohio Education. “It builds on a foundation of falsehoods and attacks that certain Ohio policymakers have copied from divisive, extremist national groups with no concern for the wellbeing of Ohio’s young people. It goes against the State Board’s core mission to support public education for all Ohio students, and breeds a culture of lawlessness by directing local school leaders to break the law.”
Honesty Partners:
"Educators know that our students don't thrive when they're not safe, healthy, and treated with respect,” said Melissa Cropper, president of the Ohio Federation of Teachers and Honesty partner. “We strongly oppose this unnecessary and divisive attempt to roll back Title IX protections and place a target on the backs of some students. Our schools should be a welcoming place for all students, no matter what they look like, where they come from, or how they identify. "
“This resolution is more of the same — misinformation and targeted bullying of our LGBTQ students for political gains,” said Maria Bruno, policy director at Equality Ohio. “All Ohio students deserve safe, inclusive school districts in compliance with federal regulations and guidance.”
Honesty is urging Ohioans to contact their representatives on the State Board of Education by taking action HERE.
All Ohioans want their young people to be in safe, welcoming learning environments that foster growth and development, and families of LGBTQ+ students are no exception. These young Ohioans have a right to be included and protected, and recent changes to Title IX protect these rights and shield LGBTQ+ students from harmful discrimination.
But the so-called “Resolution to Support Parents, Schools, and Districts in Rejecting Harmful, Coercive, and Burdensome Gender Identity Policies,'' set to be introduced at the State Board of Education on Tuesday, September 20, attempts to invalidate these federal protections for LGBTQ+ youth in schools, spreads harmful falsehoods about LGBTQ+ people, and advocates that local school districts ignore the law.
The resolution proposes requiring schools to out LGBTQ+ children to their parents no matter the circumstances and ban transgender youth from participating in sports or using facilities that align with their gender identity. It also advocates that state lawmakers use public resources to pay for penalties incurred by school districts for ignoring Title IX legal protections.
The resolution further requires the Ohio state superintendent to send a letter directing all Ohio school districts to oppose and disregard recent Title IX changes and not amend district policies in accordance with the law. It also asks the state to provide stopgap funding to schools that do not comply with the updated Title IX regulations.
“The State Board of Education must stop this toxic resolution in its tracks,” said Cynthia Peeples, founding director of Honesty for Ohio Education. “It builds on a foundation of falsehoods and attacks that certain Ohio policymakers have copied from divisive, extremist national groups with no concern for the wellbeing of Ohio’s young people. It goes against the State Board’s core mission to support public education for all Ohio students, and breeds a culture of lawlessness by directing local school leaders to break the law.”
Honesty Partners:
"Educators know that our students don't thrive when they're not safe, healthy, and treated with respect,” said Melissa Cropper, president of the Ohio Federation of Teachers and Honesty partner. “We strongly oppose this unnecessary and divisive attempt to roll back Title IX protections and place a target on the backs of some students. Our schools should be a welcoming place for all students, no matter what they look like, where they come from, or how they identify. "
“This resolution is more of the same — misinformation and targeted bullying of our LGBTQ students for political gains,” said Maria Bruno, policy director at Equality Ohio. “All Ohio students deserve safe, inclusive school districts in compliance with federal regulations and guidance.”
Honesty is urging Ohioans to contact their representatives on the State Board of Education by taking action HERE.
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Honesty for Ohio Education is a nonpartisan, statewide coalition that champions honest education, affirmation of identities, cultures, and experiences, the well-being of students and educators, and local control in education. The coalition represents more than 40 national, state, and local organizations, and hundreds of students, families, and educators across the state.