NY middle school assigned pro-transgender article discussing chest binding and testosterone to eighth graders

A teacher at Ardsley Middle School in the Ardsley Union Free School District in Westchester County taught an eighth grade health lesson that included a pro-transgender article addressing chest binding and taking testosterone. Photos of the article were shared with Defending Education by a concerned taxpayer in the school district.

The article “I am Leo” is a first-person narrative from a 16-year-old, who describes in detail the experience of realizing he was transgender after being designated female at birth. He recounts feeling uncomfortable with feminine expectations, discovering the term “non-binary” online during puberty and initially coming out to his family using they/them pronouns. As he entered seventh and eighth grade, he describes frequent misgendering at school and being asked to explain gender concepts to classmates.

Leo says his understanding shifted from identifying as non-binary to identifying as a trans boy, and he describes early steps in his transition such as changing his pronouns and name, wearing a chest binder and wanting to take testosterone.

Leo says his parents initially refused his request for testosterone due to health concerns, but agreed to puberty blockers and later approved testosterone after about a year. He says testosterone improved his confidence and social life, but he still describes fear of bullying, harassment in bathrooms and broader safety concerns for transgender people.

The piece includes a “gender glossary” defining terms like transgender, non-binary, and transition, and it ends with “How to Be an Ally” guidance that encourages readers to use correct names/pronouns, avoid calling gender dysphoria a phase, recognize there’s no single “right” transition path, not out someone, and speak up against bullying, plus a resource plug for The Trevor Project.

When the concerned taxpayer reached out to the district superintendent to ask if he was aware of this lesson, he directed her to a district policy that outlines the steps to take to request clarification about classroom instruction. When she followed up and explained she was a taxpayer in the district, but not a parent, he did not reply.

The concerned taxpayer then sent an email to the eighth grade health teacher to ask about the lesson and whether there is an opt-out policy and any advance warning for parents. The teacher confirmed the lesson was taught, and said the goal was to raise awareness about different sexual orientations and gender identities, pointing to the “intermediate level functional knowledge” described in the NYS Health Education Guidance Document.

The teacher also said the lesson builds on the district’s core principle of inclusion, which aims to help students “to learn from and to value the perspectives and experiences of others so that they can play an active role in building an inclusive Ardsley for all,” as well as the school’s Health/Guidance departments themes of tolerance and empathy, quoting: “Tolerance is the positive and cordial effort to understand another’s beliefs, practices and habits without necessarily sharing or accepting them.”

The teacher said the lesson is “not promoting a specific gender or sexual orientation during this lesson” but that they “review some of the terminology/language so students have a better understanding of this topic and we then read a story about a young person’s experience with their own gender identity.”

“At the beginning and end of the lesson, I remind students that we all have our own set of values and beliefs, and that it’s okay not to always agree/share the same values/beliefs with others,” the teacher’s email message concluded. “I’m hoping that this lesson helps students to be more tolerant and that our schools are safe for all students.”

In a third email, after the concerned citizen asked for clarity on notifying parents before the lesson is taught and whether there is an opt-out policy, the Director of Athletics and Physical Education said the district does not maintain a formal opt-out provision.

“Parents and guardians may direct questions or concerns to the classroom teacher or building principal; such matters are reviewed with consideration for student needs and family perspectives,” the email read. “The District does not have a policy requiring advance notification to parents or guardians regarding individual lessons. Objections to instructional materials and the discussion of controversial issues are addressed in accordance with Board Policy 8330.”

In New York State, there’s no broad, statewide rule that automatically requires schools to notify parents or allow an opt-out if a lesson includes gender identity content.

Photos of the full “I am Leo” article, which first ran in the December 2019/January 2020 issue of the Scholastic’s Choices magazine, are included below.

The article has been the subject of controversy in other districts, including in New York state and South Carolina.