LETTER: The unintended consequences of new LBGT policy

To all of those who chose to support and pass the change to the Kalispell Public Schools’ “Equal Education, Nondiscrimination and Sex Equity” policy, I invite you to take a step back and try to look at the situation without a predetermined conclusion.

First off, reexamine your basis for determining that a change must take place in this policy. Have overwhelming numbers of students (not school board members, not concerned parents, but STUDENTS) in our community complained of discrimination based on their gender? Have serious issues arisen that cannot be handled without implementing this SPECIFIC policy? Or has this proposed, and now passed, policy change simply come about from a hyped up nation obsessed with gender equality?  

Secondly, consider the potential drawbacks that will result from this policy change. Directly tied to the few new words in this policy will be the arising issue of gender-neutral everything. Coaches and leaders of athletics and other extracurricular activities will be forced to face the struggles that accompany this policy change. Will the need now arise for gender-neutral sports teams? Gender-neutral bathrooms? Gender-neutral locker rooms? This policy was passed for the benefit of students in our community. However, was the discomfort that many students in our community could possibly face because of this change considered as well?

Lastly, do not forget that everyone faces discrimination, regardless of gender. If policies were written up for every tiny prejudice that man endures throughout his lifetime, there would not be enough room in this world to live, let alone breathe.

I’m not trying to ask you to forget about the kid who is picked on because of his or her gender. In fact, I’m doing just the opposite. Do not forget about that kid; but also, don’t forget about the short kid, the fat kid, the goth kid, the nerd, the kid who eats lunch alone everyday, and the kid who is called ugly.

A policy change can’t be made for every injustice in existence. However, the enforcement of existing bullying policies and a changed mindset to face all forms of discrimination will effectively help shrink and, hopefully dissolve, not only gender discrimination, but the inequity and prejudice faced by all students in our community. —Serena Koch, Bigfork