Take advantage of transgender policy forums

It’s just plain wrong for Stand for Fort Worth, the organization that’s opposing transgender guidelines recently adopted in the Fort Worth school district, to complain about public forums called to discuss those guidelines.

“We see these community forums as a charade,” spokesman Zeb Pent told Star-Telegram reporter Diane A. Smith. “What’s the point of seeking public opinion at this time?”

The point, if it really has to be spelled out, is that this issue has inflamed public opinion, and district trustees need to hear from their constituents about it.

It should be in a forum where the trustees can ask questions and join in a dialogue.

The meetings, each hosted by individual trustees, have been scheduled May 31-June 9 at Paschal, Arlington Heights, North Side and South Hills high schools.

It’s understandable that Stand for Fort Worth members are upset that the guidelines have gone this far, but it’s incomprehensible that they would turn up their noses at the opportunity to present their position.

It’s never too late to talk, and even the best policy can be improved. Trustees have pledged to listen.

In fact, there are parts of the guidelines that could be improved.

The guidelines do not contain the specific language recently prescribed by the Obama administration on giving transgender students the option to use the restroom that coincides with their gender identity.

They do, however, refer to alternatives that should be offered to other students “who feel uncomfortable sharing a restroom with a transgender student.”

The language about the intent of the guidelines should be more clear.

Other district residents are upset about portions of the guidelines that refer to discussions between school personnel and transgender students without parents being involved or informed.

That’s an extremely delicate issue. Top administrators have said that they wanted to put concern about student safety first, and they’ve pointed to research that shows some transgender students could face danger at home.

And that, in turn, is hard for good parents to understand. Because they’re good parents, they want to be involved in every aspect of their children’s lives. They should be.

Although administrators say school personnel talk with students to find ways to get parents involved, that’s not spelled out clearly in the guidelines. It should be.

Trustees and administrators are right to hold forums for community discussion. Everyone who’s interested should take part.

This story was originally published May 24, 2016 at 6:12 PM with the headline "Take advantage of transgender policy forums."