LANCASTER, New York — A school board has delayed a vote on allowing students to use restrooms of the opposite gender.
According to BuffaloNews.com, the debate over the restrooms and other single-sex facilities dominated the Monday night meeting. And while district officials defended the pending change, many voices stood against it.
“How would it reconcile my children’s comfort and safety if somebody lied about being part of transgender (group) to get into the other bathroom?” asked Patrick Cerminara.
“Shouldn’t the students have voices in their own well-being?” asked Tyler Kowalewski, a high school junior. “It would be very hard to enforce this policy. You really can’t enforce this to be sure no one would take advantage of this in a perverted way.”
Kowalewski also expressed discomfort with the idea of changing in front of someone of the opposite sex.
A pastor was unequivocal with a concern about “predators” taking advantage of a policy change.
Hillsview Baptist Church pastor Nelson McCall said that values “of our majority are being displaced possibly by a minority. … We do not wish to put our children and youth at risk with a request of some of these folks.”
“We are concerned about the well-being, safety of biological girls and boys with the possibility of predators that could take advantage.”
The assistant superintendent for curriculum defended the policy, noting that “this is not something Lancaster made up. Every district in the area is dealing with it inside the state and outside the state. We’re not the first, but again, we’re charged with safety and non-bullying for all students.”
A former board member, Mary Kless, pushed officials to “call [the] bluff” of state officials, who earlier this year mandated that transgender students be allowed to use the restroom of their choice.
Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Matt Sharp told LifeSiteNews that his group had sent materials to the school district outlining why Lancaster did not have to follow the state’s orders.
“I was encouraged” by the delay, he said. “It looks like the board was moving forward to adopt one of these gender-neutral policies. The parents rallied and showed up at the board meeting, expressing their concerns – about the privacy and safety of their children.”
“I’m encouraged by that,” he continued. “I hope the board realizes the best they can do in their jobs is to protect the privacy and safety of every student under their care.”
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Reprinted with permission from LifeSiteNews.