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May 1, 2025
(CR News) - In less than 100 days of the new Trump administration, the country has experienced significant political shifts, and the Vancouver area has been no stranger to the resulting debate. The federal government has been increasingly involved in school funding and district policies regarding gender expression and LGBTQ+ rights.
La Center’s school board meeting last Tuesday, April 22, was a snapshot of the greater debate now playing out. Over a hundred people from all over Southwest Washington attended to give voice to their opinions on the policy. The room was almost perfectly divided down the middle between supporters and opponents, with the left and right sides of the room taking turns standing and cheering on their speakers.
Ultimately, this issue is likely to come down to a long, expensive court battle, although activist groups on both sides have pledged to continue the fight, namely Patriots United WA in support of the district, and Clark County Pride and the Vancouver branch of the Democratic Socialists of America in opposition._____________________________________
(CR News) - In less than 100 days of the new Trump administration, the country has experienced significant political shifts, and the Vancouver area has been no stranger to the resulting debate. The federal government has been increasingly involved in school funding and district policies regarding gender expression and LGBTQ+ rights.
While the Vancouver School District so far seems to be holding firm on its policies, nearby La Center is embroiled in an ongoing conflict between district, state, and national authorities. Many observers believe it is possible such issues could arise in neighboring communities closer to home.
La Center School District has recently come under fire for a couple of their policies regarding transgender students. As it stands, educators in the district are both restricted from asking students about their preferred pronouns and required to inform parents if a student identifies or appears to identify as transgender or gender-nonconforming in some other way.
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) claims that such policies violate state laws designed to protect LGBTQ+ youth. The district has refused to comply with the state’s orders and is facing what could be an expensive lawsuit for a smaller rural district, a point of concern for critics of the policy.
Meanwhile the federal government has now pledged to in turn investigate OSPI over the agency’s policies, in line with President Trump’s stated agenda of ending what he refers to as ‘gender ideology.’ A complex battle between jurisdictions and levels of authority is set to play out here in what could be an important precedent for further efforts to protect or restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ youth.
La Center’s school board meeting last Tuesday, April 22, was a snapshot of the greater debate now playing out. Over a hundred people from all over Southwest Washington attended to give voice to their opinions on the policy. The room was almost perfectly divided down the middle between supporters and opponents, with the left and right sides of the room taking turns standing and cheering on their speakers.
The 24 speakers were also almost evenly divided on the issue. Supporters of the district emphasized the importance of family, with one saying “I am troubled that a group of staff members… believe they know more about raising a family’s children than the parents.”
Another community member emphasized that her “community loves each other, loves each child here, and definitely doesn’t spew the hatred that is insinuated.”
A parent from Battleground criticized the state for a policy in which “every child is viewed as a probable victim, every parent viewed as a probable abuser.”
Opponents of the policy emphasized the need to protect transgender children from abuse at home, with one educator from the Evergreen School District sharing the stories of two students who had serious fears of abuse over their identity, remarking that “these are just two stories from this year that I know. How many more am I missing from students who fear sharing their stories of fear and isolation?... This is not a policy that helps an educator protect their students.”
One transgender speaker, a local bus driver, shared her story of acceptance and coming out, adding that she “heard a lot of parents tonight and none of them mentioned how they would support their kid if they came out as trans… none of them mentioned whether they would help them buy their first dresses, teach them how to put on makeup for the first time.”
Upon its conclusion, Superintendent Peter Rosenkranz and other board members appeared unmoved by the opposition. The meeting quickly moved on to the next agenda item with no apparent change of heart. Superintendent Rosenkranz stated in a recent comment that he believes “families are the cornerstone of a healthy community and the first teachers of their children… our policy treats all students equally.”
Ultimately, this issue is likely to come down to a long, expensive court battle, although activist groups on both sides have pledged to continue the fight, namely Patriots United WA in support of the district, and Clark County Pride and the Vancouver branch of the Democratic Socialists of America in opposition._____________________________________
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