State ed board to consider anti-LGBTQ resolution Tuesday

SANDUSKY — State education board members will consider a proposed resolution discriminating against LGBTQ+ students next week. Cleveland.com reported that Brendan Shea, a conservative board member from Madison County near Columbus, will introduce Tuesday the "Resolution to Support Parents, Schools and Districts in Rejecting Harmful, Coercive and Burdensome Gender Identity Policies,'' which reportedly claims that biological sex can't be changed and would deny them Title IX protections. In June, for Title IX's 50th anniversary, the U.S. Department of Education proposed new protections for LGBTQ+ students from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics under the landmark federal law. If approved by state board members, the resolution would require schools to out LGBTQ+ children to their parents no matter the circumstances and ban transgender youth from participating in sports or using facilities that align with their gender identity. It also advocates that state lawmakers use public resources to pay for penalties incurred by school districts for ignoring Title IX legal protections. Honesty for Ohio Education executive director Cynthia Peeples opposes the resolution. "The state board of education must stop this toxic resolution in its tracks," Peeples said. "It builds on a foundation of falsehoods and attacks that certain Ohio policymakers have copied from divisive, extremist national groups with no concern for the wellbeing of Ohio's young people. "It goes against the state board's core mission to support public education for all Ohio students, and breeds a culture of lawlessness by directing local school leaders to break the law." Two other state organizations — Ohio Federation of Teachers and Equality Ohio — stand in solidarity with Peeples. "Educators know that our students don't thrive when they're not safe, healthy, and treated with respect," OFT president Melissa Cropper said. "We strongly oppose this unnecessary and divisive attempt to roll back Title IX protections and place a target on the backs of some students. Our schools should be a welcoming place for all students, no matter what they look like, where they come from, or how they identify." "This resolution is more of the same — misinformation and targeted bullying of our LGBTQ students for political gains," said Maria Bruno, policy director at Equality Ohio. "All Ohio students deserve safe, inclusive school districts in compliance with federal regulations and guidance."