Thank you,

Zia Klamm

Contact:
Keith Lucero
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Education Advisory Council
303-839-1127
Denver Public Schools Office of Community Relations 303-764-3407

For Immediate Release

Transgender Students Will be Protected in Denver Public Schools

January 20, 2004 - For the first time ever, the Denver Public School System (DPS) has said that transgender and gender non-conforming students will be protected under policies unanimously adopted by the school board at its recent meeting. The board voted to add the term "gender identity" to the list of those students afforded protection under the policy that describes "Equal Educational Opportunities" for students.

The amended policy reads as follows; "All students within this school district regardless of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity shall be entitled to the benefits of a good education. To secure such benefits, the needs and aspirations of all students shall be considered."

"We made a promise four years ago to get this done, and now we've finally fulfilled that promise," said Keith Lucero of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Education Advisory Council.

"I grew up in a Denver suburb and by middle school I was harassed and physically attacked, sometimes as a daily event. When I asked for help, adults told me it was my fault for these attacks because I didn't "act normal." I did not know any other way to act," said Zia Klamm, LGBTEAC member and community activist. "By adding gender identity to the school policy, my hope is that other kids will not have to go through the kind of harassment that I experienced."

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Education Advisory Council (LGBTEAC), has worked with advisors to DPS as well as lawyers from the Colorado Legal initiatives Project (CLIP), for the past two years to develop policies and protections for those students whose gender expression is not traditional.

The adoption of these policies affirms that the Denver Public School System is committed to fair and equal educational opportunities for all its students.

The mission and goals of LGBTEAC contribute to district aims to improve student achievement. The work of LGBTEAC helps to provide the safe nurturing environment, which all students need in order to learn and thrive.

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