Treasurer: Nychole Wise

http://pflagbmt.org/ P.O. BOX 6235 Beaumont, TX 77725 Email: Pflgabmnt@gmail.com President: Kathy King

Secretary: Kyndal Watkins

Superintendent John Valastro 121 South Main Lumberton, Texas 77657 Dear Superintendent Valastro, I am writing you today in regards to the recent suspension of a substitute teacher. It is our understanding that said teacher was suspended because she is transgender and parents felt she would cause a distraction to the education of their children. At the April 10th Board meeting many came in support of said teacher and spoke on her behalf. I, Kathy King, representing PFLAG of Beaumont was one of her supporters and spoke about this situation being a teaching moment and encouraged you and the Board to make it a positive teaching moment. Since it has become the attention of the public that you still have not made a decision on whether or not to reinstate said teacher, I am taking this opportunity to give further detail into how this is a teachable moment for the district. While current statistics only reflect those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender the rough estimate is tha t five percent of adolescents identify as being the lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. The combined enrollment of students in the middle school and high school in the Lumberton district for the 2012-2013 school year was 1707 students. With simple math, we can see that out of those 1707 students, 85 of them identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. First, I ask what type of message you are sending directly to those 85 students. To dismiss this teacher would send a direct message to those students that they are less capable, less worthy, less human. These students may already be the victim of bullying and harassment for being out or for simply being perceived as different. Secondly, what message does this send to other students about bullying and harassment? If we as a society say it is ok to dismiss someone from their job for being transgender then what are we teaching our children in regards to how they treat their peers? PFLAG of Beaumont urges you, once again, to create a positive teaching moment for the students of Lumberton ISD and reinstate said teacher without further delay. PFLAG of Beaumont would like to extend our support to the community by providing LGBT training to teachers and parents so that education can triumph over fear and misunderstanding. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to schedule LGBT training in your school and/or community. Sincerely, Kathy King Nychole Wise Kyndal Watkins and the members of PFLAG of Beaumont.