SW News: A new 42-page guidance for public schools has been released by the New York State Education Department (NYSED), which goes against parental rights. The new rules also contain a section that mandates that if necessary, school authorities should keep the gender transition of a student a secret from parents.
Entitled “Creating a Safe, Supportive, and Affirming School Environment for Transgender and Gender Expansive Students”, the guidelines say that the gender identity of a student should be based on their asserting and school authorities should withhold such information from their families if necessary. Experts say this new norm seriously affects the right of parents to have a say in crucial matters regarding their children.

As per the guidelines, "School personnel’s acceptance of a student’s asserted gender identity should require no more than a statement from the student expressing their preference." This means that public schools do not require any permission, letters from professionals or other proof regarding gender identity. It also says that the student experiencing gender dysphoria is in complete charge of changing the gender and the school authorities have to provide all support.

According to the guidelines, a school administrator or any other trustworthy adult who is skilled in supporting gender dysphoria students has to talk to those who wish to change their gender and find out if that person is comfortable doing so. "Some [transgender and gender expansive] students have not talked to their families about their gender identity because of safety concerns or lack of acceptance and may begin their transition at school without parent/guardian knowledge," says the guidelines.

The new norms say that "paramount consideration" has to be given to protecting the health and safety of the student while making sure that their gender identity is affirmed and their privacy and confidentiality are protected.