Due to legality issues regarding preferred and legal names, many Idaho Schools will be putting many students without a parental notification in a extremely vulnerable position, exposing them to potential hate crimes and mental health issues.

A school's environment is everything to a child, and it is vital to protect the rights and identities of all students. Legal name policies should not stand in the way of respecting preferred names, especially when failure to do so can lead to significant social and emotional harm.

According to the 2019 National School Climate Survey, 86% of LGBTQ+ students experienced harassment at school, with a significant number reporting issues due to their legal or preferred names not being respected. Furthermore, research indicates that the use of a student's chosen name can reduce depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation by up to 56%. Many LGBTQ+ students in Idaho Schools have reported harrassment within the first weeks of school due to being forcefully outed in Idaho Laws for legal name usage. This law also puts many students at risk of abuse at home, as not all parents will be open to support. Idaho Youth deserve a safe space to grow and learn, and this law prevents them from doing so, and significantly increases mental health issues and harrassment.

For years, many students have been put at risk of student harassment due to them requesting for their name to be something other than their legal name, or even through physical appearance. Our governor has the opportunity to be a representative leader in student safety and inclusion by revising our current policies concerning the use of legal names. I and many others urge Governor Little to adopt a flexible approach that accommodates preferred names in all public-facing documents, including yearbooks and graduation name calls.

Implementing a policy that respects students' preferred names does not only ensure student safety and gives them a respected place in the district, but also a reflection of the values Idaho school districts promote as a whole. There are millions of reasons as to why this is extremely important to implement, as well as discouraging bullying for future generations. This change can foster an environment where every student feels safe and valued and change our state for the better.

By signing this petition, you are supporting the call for our governor to revise school policies to better protect and respect the identities and preferences of its students without requiring parental notification or consent. Let's create a safer and more welcoming space for all students to thrive. Please sign and share this petition to make a positive impact.