On Thursday, April 13, the Arlington School Committee will hold a hearing on the district’s Grade 4 & 5 Human Growth & Development curriculum in response to a formal complaint by an Arlington parent objecting to the fact that the curriculum is inclusive of transgender and gender diverse youth.
PLEASE JOIN US in attending that meeting to express support for the updated curriculum, which brings Arlington’s health and wellness curriculum in line with recommended national standards.
MUCH OF THE MEDIA ATTENTION to anti-LGBTQIA+ activism focuses on what is happening elsewhere in the country, but Massachusetts is not immune to bigotry cloaked as “parental concern.” More often than not, this anti-LGBTQIA+ activism is closely linked with efforts to disrupt racial equity work in schools and municipalities.
Just last week, over 300 residents of Newton turned out to urge their School Committee to reject attempts by a small but incredibly vocal group of Newton residents who sought to roll back Newton schools’ racial equity work. Meanwhile, librarians in cities and towns throughout Massachusetts are being confronted by aggressive protests from people who are angry that LGBTQIA+- and BIPOC-affirming materials and programming are available to students and residents.
IT IS CRUCIAL that we have a strong presence of LGBTQIA+ community members and allies at the hearing to demonstrate strong support for the updated curriculum and our commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive school environment for transgender and gender diverse youth.
YOUR PRESENCE AND YOUR VOICE MATTER, and we need you now more than ever.
Please register with us if you intend to attend, so we know that we can count on you.
THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETS IN PERSON AND ONLINE. We are encouraging as many people as possible to attend in person to show support for Arlington’s transgender and gender diverse youth. Meetings are held in the School Committee room located on the sixth floor of Arlington High School. Enter the main entrance of Arlington High School at 869 Mass Ave (next to CVS) and someone will be there to direct you to the School Committee room. The meeting begins at 6:30pm.
If you cannot attend in person, please attend via Zoom at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86956181807
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- Click here to read the Rainbow Commission’s testimony to the Arlington School Committee.
- Click here to see the February 9, 2023 presentation to parents and caregivers about the updated Grade 4 & 5 Human Growth & Development curriculum.
Arlington, MA Rainbow Commission 