At Tuesday's workshop, the Sarasota County School Board split on whether to implement new policies that would acknowledge and protect the rights of transgender students. The Board decided to listen to public comments before bringing itself into compliance with the U.S. Department of Education, which has found in favor of trans students. Students, LGBTQIA advocates, ANSWER Coalition and others are now calling on Sarasota to stand up for justice.

On March 1, we'll let the Sarasota County School Board know that we won't accept discrimination, ignorance, and hate. We demand that the School Board embrace equality in Sarasota County Schools. Transgender and gender nonconforming students deserve a safe and equal learning environment, contrary to the bigoted beliefs of Board Chair Frank Kovach.

We ask that you wear a black shirt to the school board meeting. Please message us to let us know if you'll be speaking that night so we can ensure our voice is fully heard. Each speaker is allowed 3 minutes at the podium, according to School Board rules. 

**IMPORTANT**: We're demanding that the School Board adopt#NatesList, a set of trans-inclusive policies that Nate Quinn and other Pine View students developed with the help of professional LGBTQ advocates. In a promising development, the School Board has already complied with the third demand of Nate's List.

Nate's List
1. The Sarasota County School Board shall immediately adopt trans-inclusive dress code policy, harassment policy, and bathroom/locker room access policy for all students. Specifically, this policy must permit transgender students of all ages to dress according to their gender identity and use restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity. The Sarasota County School Board shall immediately amend its Policy Against Discrimination to include protection based on "gender identity and gender expression."
2. The Sarasota County School Board shall adopt, by the beginning of the next school year, district-wide policy and guidelines reflective of those in the Broward County Public Schools LGBTQ Critical Support Guide, which is leading the way for inclusion of trans students in Florida. (http://www.browardprevention.org/…/LGBTQ-Critical-Support-G…) Accordingly, a collaborative initiative by members of the School District (Title IX/Equity Coordinator, Pupil Support Services, etc.) shall take place by the beginning of the next school year to implement inclusion trainings and education about the policy changes.
3. A representative of Sarasota County Schools shall attend the 2nd LGBTQ Florida School District Conference "All Together Now: Securing LGBTQ Safe Learning Environments Across Florida!" on March 7-8. The registration deadline is February 1.

#NatesList #TransIsBeautiful #EqualSchoolsSRQ