When the Fairfax County Public School Board decided to change its nondiscrimination policy to include “gender identity” last month, neglecting to consult with parents, northern Virginia residents were outraged.
With the policy adjustment, students are permitted to use school facilities — including showers and locker rooms — based on their gender identity, not their biological sex.
MRCTV’S Dan Joseph covers a spectrum of community controversies from protest rallies to interviews with newsmakers, “to get a sense of what’s on the minds of the American people when it comes to the big issues of the day,” according to MRCTV.
Joseph visited a Fairfax County School Board meeting to ask those in attendance about their stance on the transgender bathrooms and the county’s gender identity policy.
“They promised the parents last year that they would come to us when they changed their policy. They have not come to the parents and they are gonna change a policy without being honest,” one frustrated parent said. “It changes the safe spaces in the bathrooms, girls have a right to a safe space.”
On the other side of the issue, a women wearing a ‘Fairfax Respects Everyone’ sticker referenced segregation changes in the ’60s.
“I do understand that most people are fearful, and that is because of ignorance, not bigotry necessarily. It is ignorance, lack of understanding, lack of knowledge, and lack of exposure to other transgender individuals, and that makes people fearful, no different than black people going into white bathrooms” the woman said.
“Any act of opposition of extended rights,” a transgender male told Joseph, is bigoted.
Joseph’s multiple interactions gave way to the clear divide in the community.
Even with heavy opposition from many citizens, the school board approved the policy change with a 10-1 vote.
