Fairbanks North Star Borough School District has policy to keep gender identity of students a secret from parents

The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District has a policy labeled as “Gender Identity” that explicitly states that the gender identity of students can be kept a secret from parents. The policy has a section titled “Family Acceptance” that states:

Some transgender and gender nonconforming students are not open about their gender identity at home because of safety reasons. A school should focus on the student’s safety as the priority when providing or reporting information about the student to parents or guardians.

The policy further explains: “Transgender students have a right to privacy regarding their transgender status. Therefore, school personnel should not disclose a student’s transgender status to others, including parents, and/or other school personnel unless there is a specific ‘need to know.'”

The policy encourages staff to use the preferred pronouns of students: “It is strongly suggested that teachers, including counselors, privately ask transgender or gender nonconforming students when appropriate how they want to be addressed.” Students can also use the restrooms and locker rooms that match their preferred gender identity.