Montgomery County Public Schools has gender support plan for students that can exclude parents

Montgomery County Public Schools has a gender support plan for students titled “Supporting Student Gender Identity.” The support plan is clear in stating that parents can be left in the dark regarding their children’s gender identity: “Parents/guardians may be involved if the student states that they are aware of and supportive of the student’s gender identity.” The gender support plan asks students their “identified name,” “identified gender,” and “pronouns.”

The gender support plan also has a section titled “Support/Safety for Student” that appears to consider students in danger if their parents know about their gender identity. This section asks: “Is parent/guardian aware of your gender identity?” The next question then asks: “If support level is low, what considerations must be accounted for in implementing this plan?”

The school district also has a policy that specifically states that parents can be kept in the dark regarding their children’s gender identity. The gender support plan states that it is “consistent” with this policy.