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tsefer
tseferWednesday, January 6, 2010 at 10:48:00 PM EST
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I cannot explain how thrilled I am to finally be able to say this, but Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the third largest school system in the nation, has finally taken the step to protect Transgender and Gender non-conforming students, employees, and frankly anyone that walks into a CPS building.
For just over a year now, I have been working with a non-profit organization The Illinois Safe Schools Alliance (The Alliance) to amend this policy. Over the past year we have met with various officials at CPS and even with CEO Ron Huberman. I even got to personally put in a word or two to Mayor Daley. I’ll save you all the trouble of the nitty gritty details of trying to get it passed and all of the things we actually did. But, what all of this hard work comes down to is that we actually got it passed.
For just over a year now, I have been working with a non-profit organization The Illinois Safe Schools Alliance (The Alliance) to amend this policy. Over the past year we have met with various officials at CPS and even with CEO Ron Huberman. I even got to personally put in a word or two to Mayor Daley. I’ll save you all the trouble of the nitty gritty details of trying to get it passed and all of the things we actually did. But, what all of this hard work comes down to is that we actually got it passed.
On December 16, 2009, CPS officially changed the language within the Non-Discrimination Policy to read as follows (my emphasis added):
Definition - As used in this policy, discrimination means unlawful discrimination on the basis of any classifications protected by the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Illinois and applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances, including but not limited to discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity/expression, age, religion, disability, national origin or sexual orientation or maintaining facially neutral policies, practices, or requirements that have a negative
effect on employment or academic opportunities of protected groups without a legitimate nondiscriminatory reason. Acts of verbal, nonverbal, or physical aggression, intimidation, or hostility based on sex, but not involving conduct of a sexual nature, may constitute a form of sex discrimination.
Another awesome tidbit that we got them to agree to:
Beginning March 1, 2010, the following statement will be used in any and all new publications directed to students, parents, employees or applicants: “It is the policy of the Board to prohibit unlawful discrimination on the basis of any classifications protected by the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Illinois and applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances, including but not limited to discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity/expression, age, religion, disability, national origin or sexual orientation.
And yet this is only the beginning of this awesome policy change, we are still working with CPS to ensure proper and awesome implementation.
I have attended CPS schools since the first grade, and now in my senior year I am overwhelmingly proud to attend a school and be a part of a school district that is committed to not only protecting Trans or Gender non-conforming students, but STAFF and ANYONE that CPS contracts with. And this is a huge victory for Trans inclusion, but I think it’s also a huge victory for all of us. Whether we’re fighting for Queer Equality or to end any sort of injustice, this is a huge inspiration to just keep on going.
Working in the social justice field I am very aware of how difficult in may get but this is just one example of how it works out for the better. When times are tough we all must remember that there are people out there counting on us, that will benefit from our work. That is what drives me personally. To know that even though I am graduating in five short months, students in the future will actually be protected under this policy. And I can’t say this enough, but teachers too! This means a teacher cannot be fired or refused a position because they do not conform to basic gender roles. This means that kids will be exposed at an earlier age to people that fit outside the conventional mold and maybe just maybe this will end homophobia and transphobia.
I can just tell you all that I’m floating on clouds right now. I know our struggle isn’t over and that even though this policy is in effect, it will not end hate crimes or bullying but slowly and surely it is leading us in the right direction.
I want to personally thank Scott and Xavi, two of my closest friends that have been side by side with me for the past year working as a team to get this passed. So much thanks is due to David and Sarah from the Alliance, without their time and devotion we would not have been able to do any of this. Thanks are also due the members of Gender Just who helped us connect with CPS and all the CPS employees who helped us along and met with us especially Ron Huberman, Renee Oagletree, and Lee Ann Lowder. And most of all thank you to the close to 1,000 CPS students, teachers, staff, concerned parents, and community members that signed our petition last spring. (Fun fact: Four students collected all those signatures in three days at only three high schools.) Thank you everyone for your support.
Let’s Keep Going!
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by Anatic09
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