Colorado school board pumps brakes on pro-trans policies after community outcry

The Douglas County School Board in Colorado has opted to postpone action on new pro-transgender policies after pushback from parents and community advocates.

Prior to the school board’s Tuesday meeting, over 100 advocates contacted the board by email to express their concerns about the impacts of changing policies related to athletics and locker rooms.

If it passed, the district would allow transgender students to join athletic teams and use facilities such as locker rooms and bathrooms matching their gender identity. 

The changes would align the district with the new federal Title IX guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, as well as a recently passed Colorado law.  

“I continue to stand against racism or discrimination of any kind,” stated Christy Williams, board president. “However, I need to fully understand the impact these policy changes will have on our students involved in sports and those who utilize our locker rooms.” 

The stream of concerns and criticism from community members was largely led by the Colorado Parent Advocacy Network, which started a petition arguing that ongoing lawsuits against the Biden administration’s changes to Title IX demonstrate such policy changes are premature. 

The Colorado chapter of Gays Against Groomers, a group comprised of homosexual-identifying individuals who “oppose the sexualization, indoctrination, and mutilation of children under the guise of radical ‘LGBTQIA+’ activism,” also spoke out against the proposed changes in Douglas County. 

Despite widespread pressure from the community to reject the policies, not all members of the school board were in favor of postponing action.  

State Rep. Brandi Bradley, R-Douglas, shared an aggressive email sent to him by one of the school board members in favor of changing the policy.    

“Your email echoes concerns I have heard before about the trans community in our schools,” reads the email from board member Brad Geiger. 

“A consistent theme is that because it is a small community (as you call it ‘a minute minority’) the Board should not spend time respecting their needs or wishes. I was wondering if you could instruct me on what size a group of humans must reach to be considered important enough for consideration. If you could cite me to some authority for the legal and moral position that minority rights should be based on the size of the community it would be greatly appreciated.” 

However, Bradley celebrated the school board’s decision not to move forward, calling the move a “big win” and adding, “we have more time to prepare for our battle!”