Hendricks County Pride leaders are urging the Plainfield Community School Board to reverse their decision to remove “gender identity” from the corporation’s nondiscrimination policy. The change, which was approved in a three to two vote, has sparked concern among the community, with over 40 letters sent to the board urging them not to cut the protections. Advocates fear that removing these protections could increase bullying and harm the most vulnerable students.
Executive Director Shannon Walsh and board member Angela Egler are calling on the board to prioritize values such as kindness, compassion, empathy, acceptance, and belonging. They believe the decision goes against the community’s values and may prompt other schools in the area to follow suit. The school corporation stated that the changes were made in response to executive orders from the state and federal level to align with government requirements and preserve funding.
Advocates argue that a blanket statement claiming to protect all students may actually leave the most vulnerable without adequate protection. The gender expansive community, particularly children, has been negatively impacted by the change, with concerns that they are being used as political pawns. All other school districts in Hendricks County currently list gender or sexual orientation as protected classes in their nondiscrimination policies.
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