As elected Newton City Councilors and members of the Newton School Committee, we are deeply concerned by September 27, 2024 comments made on the Newton Civic Action Forum Facebook page regarding transgender youth and school policies. We are going public with this statement in order to bring more understanding and awareness about vulnerable members of our community who deserve our support.

This post misgendered transgender students, portrayed them as a threat to others–even citing rape statistics to justify this false claim risk–and suggested that inclusive educational policies harm children by forcing them to question their own identities. The post relied on anecdotal claims of discomfort rather than factual evidence. Such language is inaccurate and harmful, and runs counter to Newton’s values of respect, inclusion, and dignity for all.

Transgender students are not a danger to their peers; they are among the most vulnerable members of our community. The research is unequivocal: when schools affirm students’ gender identities by respecting their names, pronouns, and access to appropriate facilities, students experience lower rates of depression, suicidality, and bullying. These inclusive policies make schools safer and healthier for all children.

Newton prides itself on being a welcoming and compassionate city. We believe every young person deserves to be treated with dignity and feel safe from stigma or fear. Last year the School Committee reaffirmed this commitment through its Guidance on the Basis of Gender Identity. Remarks that undermine the dignity or humanity of any group of residents, especially vulnerable youth, have no place in our civic discourse. There are a number of ways to sit down across perspectives and seek understanding about topics on which reasonable people can disagree. Posting harmful tropes to social media is not one of those ways.

We reaffirm our unwavering support for Newton’s LGBTQ+ community and for every resident’s right to live and learn in an environment where their humanity and dignity is recognized, respected, and protected.

Signed,

City Councilor Susan Albright

City Councilor Martha Bixby

City Councilor Vicki Danberg

City Councilor Andreae Downs

City Councilor Maria Scibelli Greenberg

City Councilor Bill Humphrey

City Councilor Andrea Kelley

City Councilor Alison Leary

School Committee member Tamika Olszewski

School Committee member Emily Prenner

School Committee member Anping Shen

School Committee member Rajeev Parlikar

School Committee member Alicia Piedalue

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller