Published on June 21, 2024, 12:48 am

St. Vrain Valley Schools, a school district located in a suburb of Denver, Colorado, is employing the use of a ‘Gender Identity Guidance’ form designed for staff such as counselors and administrators to assist students grappling with gender identification issues. This initiative has attracted attention across various realms due to its treatment of delicate aspects of personal identity.

The form found on the district’s website categorically addresses student demographics such as preferred name, birth name, sex at birth, and declared gender identity. The relevance of this form extends beyond merely identifying these details. Specifically confronting parental awareness and support of their child’s proclaimed gender identity serves as one notable feature in it.

Questions like “Do I understand the parent/guardian support and am I able to identify other supports for the student?” invite staff members visibility into familial dynamics regarding gender identity. The progression of queries — ranging from parents’ comprehension and agreement with their child’s stated gender identity down to who becomes an advocate or supporter if parents are unable or unwilling — reveal comprehensive insights into circumstances surrounding these situations.

While some view such practices as necessary for engaging with contemporary sociocultural situations, Lori Gimelshteyn, executive director of the Colorado Parent Advocacy Network, strongly criticizes measures that she believes encroach upon inherently parental territory. Expressing displeasure about initiatives such as those by St. Vrain Valley Schools allowing children to shield their gender identities from parents, she said that it undermines parental authority and rights.

According to her assertions, prioritizing child welfare surpasses any institution’s jurisdiction over family matters. “No institution should intervene between us and our children,” she insisted firmly while underlining parental sovereignty over issues particularly during critical junctures like mental health crises.

Further parts of St. Vrain Valley Schools’ Gender Identity Guidance form probe other people’s knowledge about a student’s gender identity – a distinction indicating public or private transition status or whether others ought to be informed about it. The form further guides school staff on addressing child’s transition in ‘age-appropriate’ manner with peers, the preferred personal pronouns, and references to the student in school records.

Concurrent proposed legislation making its way through Colorado’s House of Representatives stipulates that upon request, educators throughout the state must address students by their preferred names. It remains to be seen how this potentially intersects with practices already underway within St. Vrain Valley Schools.

Moreover, part of the Gender Identity Guidance form also inspects a student’s usage of facilities such as restrooms and locker rooms in relation to their affirmed gender identity. Further elements detailed inside include connections with external entities like Rocky Mountain Equality and Human Rights Campaign which serve as LGBTQ+ advocates, unique provisions for LGTBQ+ youth programs offered by Rocky Mountain Equality (only those aged under 12 need parental permission), and considerations over social interactions within educational settings’ ecosystem.

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