School Administrative Unit 53 received training from GLSEN that included the “Genderbread Person”; received training that discussing the gender identity of students with parents “jeopardized” the students

Parents Defending Education submitted a public records request to School Administrative Unit 53 seeking any guidance on transgender issues. The district provided PDE with a policy titled “Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students.” This policy does not explicitly state whether parents should be involved with their children’s gender identity issues. However, the policy does make the vague statement that appears to explain parents may be left in the dark regarding their children: “Administrators and school staff shall also give due weight to the role of parents and guardians in making decisions regarding their child.”

The policy additionally mandates that staff and students use the preferred pronouns of other students: “Students will be addressed by school staff and other students by the name and pronouns corresponding to their gender identity that is consistently asserted at school.” Students are also allowed to use the restrooms and locker rooms that match their preferred gender identity.

An additional document that appeared to be used for professional development is titled “Transgender Info” that reiterates the policy. This document notably discusses “is the student out to their parents; are they supportive/unsupportive.” The next sentence then asks: “If unsupportive, what does that mean for us at school, i.e. preferred name/pronouns?”

The district provided PDE with a gender support plan for students that asks if students are “transgender,” “gender nonconforming,” “gender non-binary,” “gender fluid,” or “transitioning.” Students are allowed to use plural “they/them” pronouns as well as their preferred restroom and locker room.

The district also received training from GLSEN. The organization GLSEN is known for promoting LGBTQ ideology to young children and schools. GLSEN provided training to the school district on August 24, 2021, and October 8, 2021. The district provided numerous documents that are labeled “Property of GLSEN” as part of PDE’s request seeking transgender guidance. One document from GLSEN that the district used in this training is the “Genderbread Person.” The “Genderbread Person” is an image that educators use in an attempt to teach students that gender is on a spectrum.

Additional GLSEN documents from the district include “Be an Ally to Trans and Gender-Nonconforming Students,” “Pronoun Guide,” and the “Safe Space Kit.” The Safe Space Kit specifically states that revealing the gender identity of students to parents could be dangerous: “Although it may be hard to believe, there are students whose emotional and physical safety were jeopardized when school staff outed them to other students and even family members.”