Some parents concerned about LGBTQ education, rights in Lee County schools

A poster that is used as part of LGBTQ education in Lee County schools has sparked new outrage among some parents. The poster lays out different ways the school District can support LGBTQ youth, leaving some parents concerned.

“You don’t talk about these topics to a 10-year-old, nor a 6-year-old,” Mike Rodriguez said. “That is why I’m concerned. Stuff that we don’t even talk about to our kids, the school now was trying to implement it.”

The School District of Lee County said the poster is nothing new. Multiple public school board meetings were held about it and other policies, and it’s been in the code of conduct all school year.

District officials say the poster was made to educate everyone about LGBTQ students in the school setting, including access to restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity.

Crystal Czycon, a board member for the Lee County LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, says policies and practices like this help protect all children in school.

“When a trans person sees these signs of safety they feel that it is OK for them to be themselves,” Czycon said. “And that is the number one way to prevent suicide in the transgender, non-conforming communities is to allow them to have a safe space to be themselves.”

The District says sensitive issues such as bathrooms are approved on a case-by-case basis. They work with students and their parents to provide a gender neutral, private bathroom to any student.

“That’s a window for kids with bad heads … to say let’s go to the girls bathroom,” Rodriguez said. “And if we get caught, we can just say we feel like girls.”

Several people are expected to show up to Lee County School Board’s Tuesday meeting upset over transgender rights at school. Concerns are focused on bathrooms and school sports.

The District takes up the bathroom issue on an individual basis, making sure every student feels comfortable and has their privacy. But this still has parents worried.

The District told us the school board will talk about next school year’s code of conduct and the poster at a public meeting April 26.

“We are going to have all of our students, including our transgender, non-binary students, have a space to be free to be themselves without fear of violence without fearing where do use the restroom,” Czycon said. “And when they see these, it reaffirms, ‘Yes. This is a safe place.’”