The Situation:

Maria is a 15-year-old transgender girl who attends Solebury School, a boarding school in Pennsylvania. Maria has lived in the boy's dorm last year and this year. Since Maria identifies as female, (because she is female), she feels uncomfortable living in the boy's dorm. She is also not allowed in the main girl's dorm without adult supervision. Girls who live in the other girl's dorm are allowed into the main one without supervision, but Maria is not. There is a committee of faculty members and Board members who are working tirelessly to help Maria and to educate the Solebury School community about transgenderism. We are writing this petition to show the Board members that there are also a lot of people who stand with Maria. The Board is not transphobic, and they are not resisting this, in fact they are on board completely with helping Maria and are trying to carefully change policy. We just want to show them that there are also many people who support Maria. We also want the Board to have proof that there are a ton of people who are okay with this if anyone ever pushes the Board saying that they don't want transgender students in the dorms of the gender they identify with. This petition is to SUPPORT the school board (and thank them for their hard work!), not to go AGAINST it.

Our Goals:

Maria will be allowed to enter both girls dorms school year without needing supervision or permission. Maria will be allowed to use the girls' bathrooms. Next school year, Maria will be allowed to live in the significantly smaller of the two girls dorms, with a few pre-selected students who are comfortable living with a transgender student.

About Maria:

Maria is 15 and a strong positive role model in the school community. She takes her education very seriously, and is an active member of many clubs and activities, and participates in many community service opportunities. She is an incredible friend and a person who deserves to feel comfortable in her own skin and where she lives.