Hawaii DOE presents new transgender student guidelines

Honolulu (AP) — Hawaii education officials have released new guidelines they say are meant to help state schools better address the needs of transgender students.

The state Department of Education's policies regarding transgender students have been in the works since last year and were presented to the Board of Education on Tuesday. Under the proposed guidelines, students are allowed to use restrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity and staff is encouraged to address students by their preferred names and pronouns.

The guidelines state that schools should assess the needs of transgender students "on a case-by-case basis" and work to protect the privacy of all students by providing access to alternative restrooms.

"The guidelines state very clearly that every student that requires privacy should be given privacy and that facilities should be available so that every student can feel protected," said Brian De Lima, vice chairman of the Board of Education.

Board members mostly supported the DOE's policies, but some expressed concern about parental involvement and how it could impact the needs of transgender students and those in the process of transitioning into living as the gender they identify with.

"The parents' right to know is secondary to making sure the child is taken care of in a safe place, because unfortunately not all parents are supportive and will honor and respect a transgender student," said Michael Golojuch Jr., chair of the LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

Officials are looking to implement the proposed rules in the upcoming school year after they undergo further review. Guidelines regarding transgender students and competitive athletics are still being determined.

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The Gayly – June 8, 2016 @ 10:15 a.m.