This is what I like to see and hear.
Richard Carranza
The new HISD superintendent, Richard Carranza, did not discuss specifics but certainly signaled an open-minded approach to the issue of which restrooms students should be allowed to use.
“I think, you know, kids are human beings, and I think that a human being should be treated like a human being,” Carranza said, as he welcomed students on the first day of school.
He also took questions and was asked for his thoughts on a judge’s ruling which temporarily blocks the Obama administration’s directive to allow transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice.
“I have to look at what they said in particular about the transgender bathroom law. I can tell you that in my former experience, I spent 7 years, almost 8 years in San Francisco, we had transgender bathrooms the entire time I was there. Never had one issue, zero reported issues with a transgender restroom. So you know I think we need to kind of peel the onion. Is it really about the restroom, or is it about something else?” Carranza said.
Houston ISD began including gender identity in its nondiscrimination policy years ago and has allowed campuses to find solutions on a case-by-case basis.
Simple, yes? No problems here, either. I’d be willing to bet that if it weren’t for the potty-obsessed histrionics from Dan Patrick and Ken Paxton, most people wouldn’t even know that HISD included gender identity in its nondiscrimination policy. Because it really is a non-issue, unless someone makes the conscious choice to make it an issue. There’s video of Superintendent Carranza’s statement at the link above if you’re interested.
What a breath of fresh air. Welcome to Mr. Carranza! The students of HISD will actually have a fighting chance against the antics of the unqualified leaders of our once Great (until 20 years ago) State of Texas.
I wish him the best. I hope he can focus on good progressive reforms. That is just what HISD needs.