Cambridge Public Schools in Massachusetts adopted a transgender policy for staff during its October 21 meeting.

The policy states that:

• Information about an employee’s transgender status, assigned birth name and sex, name change for gender identity purposes, gender transition, medical information related to gender identity or other information of a similar nature, if such information exists, shall be maintained in a separate, confidential file and shall be kept confidential in accordance with applicable federal, state and local privacy laws and regulations.
• The fact that a staff member chooses to disclose their transgender status to staff or students does not authorize school staff to disclose this information, or other information as detailed above, including without limitation, medical information, about the staff member to others.
• Information that may reveal a staff member’s transgender status to others will not be disclosed to others unless the school is legally required to do so, or unless the disclosure has been authorized in writing by the staff member.
• Staff may access restrooms that correspond to the staff member’s gender identity. All staff shall have access to allgender/gender neutral, physically accessible restrooms at all times.
• Every staff member has the right to be addressed by a name and pronouns that correspond to the staff member’s gender identity.

Even if a transgender or gender nonconforming staff member has not legally changed their name or gender, the school system will allow those staff members to use a chosen name and gender pronouns that reflect their identity, which will appear on “all unofficial records.” Those requested changes are to be enacted within 10 business days of initiation by the staff member.

It is also “expected that staff members will make reasonable efforts to consistently use colleagues’ chosen names and pronouns.”

This policy is consistent with “the goals of becoming an antiracist and equitable district,” and in accordance with the School Committee’s Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity Policy and the City of Cambridge’s Sanctuary City Resolution to “take active steps to ensure that transgender and gender diverse individuals have access to healthcare, housing, education, and employment without fear of discrimination.”