Regional School Unit 5 has policy to keep gender identity of students hidden from parents; principal tells staff to start using “gender-neutral language”; training for district staff included the “Gender Unicorn”

Parents Defending Education submitted a public records request to Regional School Unit 5 seeking any guidance on transgender issues. The district provided PDE with a policy titled “Transgender and Gender Expansive Students.” The policy is very similar to a policy that PDE received from a public records request to Maine School Administrative District 15 in which the superintendent of the district explained to PDE that the policy was created by the Maine School Boards Association (MSBA). The policy appears to explain that the gender identity of students can be hidden from parents:

In the case of a student who has not yet discussed a change in their gender identity with their parent(s)/guardians(s), the designated staff person will discuss parent/guardian involvement with the student to ensure that the student feels safe and supported. It is the goal of the RSU to support communication between students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) about the student’s gender identity. The RSU will offer support to the parents/guardians and students as needed.

The policy then later states: “If a student requests a change to their name and/or gender in the school records without parental approval, the Superintendent should be consulted, and the matter resolved on a case-by-case basis.”

The policy mandates that staff and students use the preferred pronouns of other students: “The student should be addressed by school staff, substitutes, volunteers and other students by the name and pronoun corresponding to their gender identity that is expressed at school.” Students are also allowed to use the restrooms and locker rooms that match their preferred gender identity.

PDE received a letter from the principal of Mast Landing School within the district stating that staff should use “gender-neutral language.” She states: “It helps everyone feel welcome, no matter their identity, and it sets an example for students, staff and families that gender-neutral language is the norm and that no one should assume anything about someone without asking first.” She states that staff should use the terms “partner” and “spouse” instead of “husband” and “wife” going forward. She also states staff should no longer use the phrase “boys and girls.”

She also explains that the “MLS Civil Rights Team” will create “gender-neutral language posters to distribute to classrooms and hang around the school as a helpful tool.”

The district provided PDE with two presentations that appeared to be for staff. The first presentation pushes for staff to use the preferred pronouns of students.

The second presentation is titled “Review of LGBTQ+ 101 & Creating Inclusive and Affirming Spaces for Youth.” The presentation was created by Equality Maine which is an organization known for targeting children with LGBTQ issues. This presentation notably has the “Gender Unicorn.” The “Gender Unicorn” is an image that schools have used in an attempt to teach children that gender exists on a spectrum. The presentation also teaches staff about perceived gender identities such as “demiboy,” “demigirl,” and “neutrois” as well as pronouns such as “ze/zir,” “xe/xem,” “ey/em/eir,” and “fae/faer/faers.”

Staff are additionally told to “avoid gendered language.” The idea of “gender-inclusive biology” is also promoted.