“I’m grateful that the State Board of Education did the right thing today by adopting voluntary guidelines that would ensure LGBT students have a safe learning environment in Michigan’s public schools, including allowing transgender students to use school facilities appropriate to their identity. These proposals would encourage schools to take steps to shield these students from bullying, and send the signal to other students that being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender is not a reason to ridicule, exclude or harass a classmate. Despite fear-mongering on the part some of the proposal’s detractors, these guidelines will increase — not decrease — student safety. It’s important for all LGBT students in our state to know that their safety and dignity are as important as any other student’s.”
