Beech Acres Parenting Center affirms the worth and dignity of all children. We believe that discrimination based on gender identity or expression is damaging to the health of children, families, and society. As the fight for inclusion moves from public restrooms  to school locker rooms, Beech Acres unequivocally and emphatically stands in solidarity with transgender youth, and all transgender individuals. 

We recognize that transgender youth do not always receive the support, affirmation, and safety they need and deserve. Transgender children are more likely to experience victimization and violence which significantly and negatively impact their mental and emotional health1

  • 43% of transgender youth have been bullied on school property compared to 18% of cisgender youth
  • 29% of trans youth have been threatened or injured with a weapon on school property compared to 7% of cisgender youth
  • 29% of transgender youth have attempted suicide, compared to 7% of cisgender youth
  • Among trans, nonbinary, or GNC students who reported that their school had policies to support students trans students, only 42.4% reported that their school’s policy addressed inclusive participation in athletics.

Beech Acres Parenting Center is committed to combatting discrimination, bigotry, hatred, and violence, against transgender individuals, especially those living at the intersections of multiple marginalized identities.  Moreover, we work to ensure that the adults in children’s lives are doing everything possible to support transgender youth. There are many ways to support transgender youth and their families, including the following:

  • Learn about Welcoming Schools, an initiative of the Human Rights Campaign, helps schools embrace family diversity end bullying, and avoid gender stereotyping: https://www.welcomingschools.org/
  • Understand your school’s policy on trans participation in sports. Endorse policies that allow for inclusive participation in sports which encourages all students to have an equal opportunity in education, which includes extracurricular activities and sports, so they can reach their full potential and thrive. https://www.glsen.org/activity/gender-affirming-inclusive-athletics-participation

1https://www.hrc.org/news/new-cdc-data-shows-lgbtq-youth-are-more-likely-to-be-bullied-than-straight-cisgender-youth