To the Editor:
An incident in the girls’ bathroom in Rochester has been the backdrop of heightened anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and has fueled an effort to deny the rights of gender nonconforming children. The “concerned” father of a 9-year-old girl and his supporters have made claims — both formally with the U.S. Department of Education and on multiple social media platforms — that his daughter was “sexually harassed” by a 10-year-old gender nonconforming child, alleging that the schools are failing to protect children. The efforts to push this anti-LGBTQ agenda include signage, such as “No boys in the girls’ bathroom,” and an attempt to unseat elected school committee members by a recall vote. However, Massachusetts law is clear; Chapter 76, Section 5, of the Massachusetts General Laws prohibits discrimination in public schools on the basis of gender identity. While these protections might not align with everyone’s personal opinions, it is the law. School employees have a duty to uphold the law and provide a safe, inclusive learning environment for all students. This fear campaign is deeply hurtful and is eroding our community as it creates division, leaving many residents feeling ostracized and unwelcome. This feels personal to me; I have spent my career as a school counselor, working with children and families. I feel offended by the persistent mean-spirited comments, spread of misinformation and attempts to undermine the school system. I believe that a strong community is built on our shared commitment to accept our neighbors as they are, treating them with dignity and respect.
Debra Tolstonog, Rochester
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