Lesbian Mother Says Superintendent’s Statements Create Unsafe Environment for LGBT Families, Youth

The school superintendent in Pearland, Texas â€” a Houston suburb that is the nation’s seventh-fastest-growing city â€” says the federal government’s recent directive to public schools regarding transgender students’ restroom access could lead to the legalization of pedophilia and polygamy.Â

According to Pearland Superintendent John Kelly, the district currently requires trans students to use restrooms based on the sex listed on their birth certificates â€” but in some cases has allowed them to use private restrooms, such as in nurses’ stations. But Kellly said the Obama administration’s directive, which says trans people must be allowed to use restrooms based on their gender identity, creates “legal and practical uncertainty” and could threaten $9 million in federal funding for the district.Â

Kelly noted that Texas GOP leaders have vowed to pass a law countering the directive, adding that it will be up to courts to determine “whetherÂ the Executive Branch of the federal government can override the 10th Amendment reserving powers not specifically enumerated in the Constitution for the states and local governments.” He added that he hopes “common sense answers are provided prior to the 16/17 school year.â€

â€œIn my personal opinion, this is one more example of unconstitutional interference and social engineering by the federal government,” Kelly added in a statement to The Journal of Pearland. “When the Supreme Court re-defined marriage and invented new constitutional rights, the door was opened for re-defining all social norms, now including Executive Branch dictates about bathroom and locker room rules in local schools. It is astonishing to watch the flip flop by leaders who 10 years ago strongly endorsed traditional marriage.

“A hostile vocal minority now rules in America aided by an apathetic, unengaged majority. Whatâ€™s next?,” Kelly warned. “Legalizing pedophilia and polygamy? Unless we return to the Biblical basis on which our nationâ€™s laws were established, we are in serious trouble â€“ and cannot expect Godâ€™s continued favor.â€

Kelly isn’t the first Texas superintendent to speak out forcefully against the directive. Earlier this month,Â Superintendent Rodney Cavness of theÂ Port Neches-Groves school district said the document was going “straight to the shredder.”Â But Kelly’s hateful comments drew strong rebuke from University of Houston professor Erica Ciszek, a Pearland resident who’s raising a young daughter with her wife.Â

“Kelly’s statements on homosexuality make Pearland feel unwelcoming and unsafe for our family,” Ciszek wrote in The Houston Chronicle.Â “We have several LGBT friends that live in Pearland, some who are employees of the school district. I can’t imagine the pain and fear they face, worrying about discrimination and intolerance, afraid of losing their jobs and being unable to provide for their families. We have heterosexual friends with LGBT children who live in Pearland; they worry about the physical and mental safety of their children.”

Ciszek noted that studies show LGBT youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers, and that almost half of trans people have considered taking their own lives.Â

“While I respect Dr. Kelly’s perspective, given his leadership position, his statements create an environment of intolerance,” she wrote. “This issue impacts many people, including but not limited to, LGBT students, LGBT parents or guardians, and LGBT teachers and staff. Pearland is a diverse city with many races, ethnicities, and religions represented. Such a proclamation from the highest authority of a social institution has real ramifications.”Â

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Image: Pearland ISD