While I'm sure people who are writing these guidelines are concerned with the welfare of children, I am totally opposed to these "model policies" proposed by the Department of Education. The premise is wrong at its inception. First, males and females are different. No amount of policymaking will change that; no amount of brainwashing or indoctrination will remove those distinctions. Second, emphasizing sex in any way detracts from a child's ability to concentrate on his/her education. Public schools should be focusing on teaching children reading, writing, mathematics, history, geography, science, music, art, and vocational and social skills that will give them the ability to set goals for their future, get good jobs, establish homes, and become productive members of their community.

I am not insensitive to the psychological aspects and problems of "transgenderism"; I am saying it is overemphasized, which causes more harm to such a student because that becomes his or her overarching motivator. Constant discussion of sexual matters causes a child to focus on his/her biological functions, hormones, emotions, etc., not on learning. Sex is not the most important topic in the real world. It is only being emphasized by a small but vocal group of people.  

The idea that the English language has to be changed because of a child's preferences is actually tyranny. No person deserves such special treatment--a "transgender" person is no more or less valuable than any other person, and has no right to be singled out specifically because he or she decides he or she does not want to be he or she. And no teacher or student ought to be disciplined, reprimanded, intimidated, or otherwise targeted for misusing a pronoun. If children were taught proper respect, common courtesy, politeness, manners, and civility instead of politically correct propaganda, the issues of harassment and discrimination would be moot.

Gender identity is a divisive "hot topic" that wastes time, money, and emotional energy; it strains civility, and insults common sense. Ultimately, how it is dealt with can ruin a person's life. It should not be central to a classroom environment. It is a personal issue to be handled by a child and his/her parents or guardians. How parents choose to address this issue is their prerogative and responsibility, and they need to be respected. Let the school stick to educating children so they can compete with children from other nations in math and science. Let them learn to communicate their ideas intelligently, and learn to read, comprehend and think critically. Teach them to live as civilized members of a community who consider others first; not isolated, navel-gazing, narcissists who can't function without thinking about what gender they are. 

The majority of the students have rights too, and they have biological features that show they are male or female. They should have restrooms and locker rooms that respect their identity. If a student wants to be something other than his or her biological sex, and the school administration feels the need to accommodate that desire, that student can use the faculty's facilities. 

There are many other points to be made in opposition to these proposed policies. Suffice it to say that the infringement on parental rights, interference in family responsibilities and relationships, keeping information from parents, overemphasis on sexuality, spurious discipline of students and faculty, psychological and emotional damage to a student caused by constantly being singled out for special treatment, lack of accommodation and/or exceptions for religious beliefs of all students, parents, and teachers, and violation of the privacy rights of the majority of students are reasons enough for my opposition.

Thank you for reading and considering my opinions.