STAFFORD — Amidst a storm of information regarding Superintendent Scott Kizner’s newly proposed transgender policy, the name of one organization keeps recurring: Equality Stafford.
The group was formed two years ago by Amy Saunders, Stafford resident and mother of a transgender student. It is a community of both adult allies and students who seek to establish LGBT+ policies in Stafford.
“I formed Equality Stafford in hopes of joining the community together to speak out in support for all LGBTQ students and staff,” Saunders said.
While Equality Stafford doesn’t hold regular meetings, they operate mainly off of their facebook page (@EqualityStafford) that has 810 followers. That is where they post upcoming events, updates on the transgender policy, and general information about the community.
One of its initial focuses was on updating the anti-discrimination policy to include protections for LGBT+ students and staff at Stafford County Public Schools.
Equality Stafford helped formed the Equity, Diversity, and Opportunity Committee that changed the school division’s dress code to include more gender neutral restrictions. Last year, the committee helped update the anti-bullying policy which now defines bullying to include attacks on one’s “gender identity or expression” and “perceived sexual orientation.”
As for the schools’ transgender policy, while the initial draft was written by attorneys, Equality Stafford has met and talked with Kizner to provide suggestions for improvements upon the original policy.
“Obviously we want to ensure that transgender students are able to access restrooms and locker rooms, but it’s equally as important that we are ensuring that transgender students are able to go to class and have their pronouns respected,” Saunders said. “There are many components to the policy that are all important and necessary for transgender students to receive an equitable education.”
In order to gain a better understanding of the issues transgender students face, Saunders met with the high school Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs). In these meetings, students exchanged stories of the adversity they face at school and proposed possible suggestions to the drafted transgender policy.
“It’s been amazing, and at times heartbreaking, to hear from LGBTQ students on experiences they have had,” Saunders said. “These conversations highlight why this policy is so important.”
Additionally, Equality Stafford held a Trans 101 workshop at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg last month intended to educate the community on the policy, correct terminology, and just to answer general questions.
“Getting that education out there is vital,” Saunders said. “We hope to host another workshop in the next month or two.”
In the future, not only does Equality Stafford want to see the transgender policy pass, but they also want updated Family Life Education, GSAs in all high schools and middle schools, and possibly a community center for LGBT+ youth.
The transgender policy was drafted by Kizner following an incident in October when a transgender student wasn’t allowed into either locker room during an active shooter safety drill. It hasn’t made its way into recent Board of Supervisors meetings as the board is currently focusing on redistricting.
