Greetings GLSENeer,
Earlier this week, a Maricopa County judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by a member of the Mesa Public Schools governing board against the district over guidelines that support transgender students. The guidelines allow transgender students to use facilities that match their gender identity and to use names and pronouns that reflect their identity.
Board member Rachel Walden filed the lawsuit last November, which asked the court to throw out guidelines supporting transgender and gender diverse students.
YOUR VOTE MATTERS! Register to vote here in upcoming elections!
Deadline to mail your ballot back for the 2024 Primary Election is Jul 18, 2024. Primary Election Day is Jul 30, 2024.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
TRANSGENDER STUDENTS BELONG IN SCHOOL
A statement from the Mesa Education Association:
“The Mesa Education Association continues to support the certified staff of Mesa Public Schools. One of our priorities will always continue to be to teach every MPS student regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, economic status, or zip code. We are dedicated to knowing them by name, serving them by strengths and needs, and preparing them for college, career and community. In order for students to learn they need to feel safe, have a sense of belonging, feel valued, respected, and included.”
GLSEN Arizona applauds this recent decision - again reaffirming that transgender students belong in school! We also uplift the Mesa Education Association and Mesa Public Schools for their continued commitment to transgender and gender diverse youth.
WHAT YOU CAN DO?
It’s important that our leaders know that transgender students belong in school! Please share this sentiment with the Mesa Public Schools Governing Board. You can reach the board at 480-472-0201 or email them your respectful message about continuing to ensure all students feel valued and welcomed, including transgender students!
Mesa Public Schools Governing Board
Marcie Hutchinson - mhutchinson@mpsaz.org
Joe O'Reilly - joreilly@mpsaz.org
Kiana Maria Sears - ksears@mpsaz.org
Rachel Walden - rwalden@mpsaz.org (This is the board member who filed the lawsuit against the guidelines)
Courtney Davis - cdavis@mpsaz.org
WHAT’S NEXT?
Tuesday, July 30 is Primary Election Day!
Did Aunt Betty send her ballot back? She can still drop it off at a polling place!
Does my BFF know about the upcoming primary election? They can still vote in person on Tuesday, July 30!
Watch this space for civic engagement reminders and Back-to-School opportunities!
REGISTER TO VOTE
YOUR VOTE IS ESSENTIAL!
Voting is the most crucial way by which you are able to participate in our democracy!
IMPORTANT DATES:
Register to vote. Deadline for the 2024 Primary Election is Jul 1, 2024
IN THE NEWS
GLSEN urges school districts to adopt updated Title IX. Read More.
This new AZ grad is running for school board against far-right extremists in Peoria. Read More.
Lawsuit challenging transgender guidelines at Mesa Public Schools dropped by judge. Read More.
Comments