Chicago Public Schools to penalize intentional usage of wrong transgender terms

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) have included in updated guidelines this month that students and employees are expected to address transgender individuals using pronouns and preferred names chosen by transgender minorities. Failure to comply will be met with appropriate consequences for offending parties.

CPS has published online a full disclosure of the newly updated Guidelines Regarding the Support of Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students. The document elaborated that "the intentional or persistent refusal by students or school staff to respect a student's gender identity (for example, intentionally referring to the student by a name or pronoun that does not correspond to the student's gender identity) is a violation of these Guidelines, the Student Code of Conduct, and Comprehensive Non-Discrimination, Title IX and Sexual Harassment Policy."

Breitbart News noted that compliance with Title IX is the same claim used by President Barack Obama's administration that is currently pressing for pro-transgender bathroom and locker room facilities at the threat of withholding funds to non-abiding states.

Particularly new to the CFS guidelines is the transgender individual's right to confidentiality, which means they can choose to keep their legal name and biological sex confidential while district managers are prohibited from disclosing such information. This also extends even to the transgender student's parents and legal guardians by prohibiting school staff from disclosing the student's preferred name, pronoun, and other confidential information.

"The guidelines released today will help ensure every student and adult in the CPS family can participate in an environment of complete tolerance and respect," Dr. Janice K. Jackson, CPS chief education officer, said in a statement.

Jackson also asserted that the guidelines needed to be updated as CPS became more aware of the needs and experiences of the transgender community. She assured that the updated guidelines are built upon the district's aim of promoting safe and inclusive schools as well as fostering healthy and supportive learning opportunities for the students' full potential.