Oregon schools chief Colt Gill, along with the state schools chiefs of California and Washington, sent a letter to the Trump administration Wednesday, urging officials not to rewrite the definition of gender in federal anti-discrimination laws.

The three West Coast states all consider students' gender to be that with which they consistently identify. A leaked Trump administration memo suggested federal agencies should collectively rewrite their policies to define gender as based on biology.

The letter states, “We believe these changes will be dangerous and detrimental for the millions of individuals in our country who identify as transgender, many of whom are school-age and are our students and part of our school communities.”

Oregon has taken several steps to create a safe, inclusive environment for transgender and non-binary students. In 2016, the Oregon Department of Education released guidelines to help guide schools on procedures and policies the agency believes are needed to comply with state and federal non-discrimination laws when it comes to gender nonconforming students. This year, the agency published a memo outlining how school districts should offer students and staff a non-binary gender option on student registration forms and data submissions.

Washington state law explicitly prohibits discrimination based on a student’s gender expression or identity.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Gill said, “It is our responsibility to create caring school environments that are safe and welcoming for all students. Denying a person’s gender identity or forcing conformity to this (potential) federal rule change is disrespectful, discriminatory and harmful. Each of our children deserve more. They deserve schools that accept, respect, and serve them well.”

-- Betsy Hammond

betsyhammond@oregonian.com