My name is Morgan. I’m 17 years old. I have known my sexuality since I was 12. For a while, the only place I could be myself was at school. For many students, this is still the case. On June 25th, the MISD school board met to discuss a proposed “gender fluidity” policy. This policy includes a "Don't Say Gay/Trans" provision, as well as anti-trans bathroom and pronoun rules. It could also lead to the forced outing of students. Not only is this policy extremely unconstitutional, but it will also put many students lives’ at risk. Legally, this could cause them many issues. Not every queer or trans student is safe being themselves at home, and forcibly outing them will only worsen this. The adults proposing this policy do not care what happens to these kids outside of school. Their goal is to erase lgbtq+ kids by any means possible. They will not stop until they meet this goal. They are not doing this because they care about our wellbeing. This is about control and erasure for them. Keziah Farrar, a board trustee, sees this matter as a way to “empower students.” “It is literally just saying that if a student makes a request that we notify the parents,” she said. “And I think there’s a misunderstanding that the teachers are going to be responsible for this. That’s not the case at all. This will all be run by student services.” Nothing about this policy is empowering. The only thing “empowering” to them is hiding our identities or forcing us to be out when that’s not what all students desire. Think about the reality of why you’re doing this. What negative impact do gay and trans rights have in schools? The answer is none. This policy comes from a place of hate and erasure, not love and safety. MISD, I am urging you to rethink your decision. Students lives’ will be negatively impacted, and it will affect not only their school lives but their home lives as well. It will affect their learning and ability to be present. This is not what is best for them. Letting their identities be theirs is what is best for them. There is still time before the 2024-2025 school year for this decision to be changed. Make the right choice.