New Transgender Policy Puts Kids At Risk Of Sexual Assault, Christian Group Says

Liberty Counsel Inc., a conservative Christian legal organization, insists that the Pascack Valley Regional High School is putting students at risk for sexual assaults and voyeurism after approving a controversial transgender policy Monday night.

The policy allows transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms based on their “consistently asserted” gender identity. The Board voted 6-1 in favor of the policy. Board member Joseph Blundo voted against the policy. He said he voted against the policy to support those who are not comfortable changing in front of transgender students.

That is part of Liberty’s point of view on the matter, the organization’s chairman said.

“It’s an unwise policy because it will put children at risk,” said Mathew D. Staver. “If you put girls and boys in a shower room together in a state of undress, with hormones raging, you’re asking for trouble.”

Related: Pascack Valley Board Approves Transgender Bathroom Policy

Liberty may sue the district over the policy. A number of parents at the meting Monday referenced the group when addressing the Board Monday. Staver said Liberty has been in contact with parents from the district, which includes Hillsdale, Montvale, River Vale, and Woodcliff Lake.

“We will be talking to parents and will figure out what our next move it,” Staver said. “All options are on the table.”

The issue has arisen in school districts across the country.

A 17-year-old transgender Missouri student faced backlash last year after she requested to use the girls’ locker room and bathrooms. Lila Perry, a 17-year-old transgender student, said school officials gave her permission to use the girls’ bathroom facilities in September, The New York Times reported.

More than 100 students at the high school walked out of class in protest of Perry’s request, the report said. Perry allegedly encountered “an intact male” in the girls’ locker room, the report said.

A 13-year-old transgender student at an Idaho junior high school was granted permission to use the girls’ bathroom in 2015, KBOI-TV reported. A parent removed a student from the school after the permission was granted.

“The issue is one of student safety,” Staver said. “There’s no question that this could lead to rape, sexual assault, and voyeurism. It could lead to boys going into girls’ locker rooms, taking pictures, and posting them on Facebook.”

Aaron Potenza, director of programs for Garden State Equality, a statewide advocacy and education organization for the transgender, lesbian, gay, and bisexual community, said it is “unfortunate” that blowback to such policies exists.

“You have a lot more visibility and I do think we are moving forward, but it doesn’t happen in one direction and it doesn’t happen all at once,” Potenza said. “It’s in response to the moving forward and as it does, people who don’t stand for such policies who instead stand for hate and fear and intolerance are speaking out.”

Staver said his group does not hate anybody.

“We never advocate violence or hatred, it’s contrary to what we are. Just because you disagree with someone doesn’t mean you hate them,” Staver said. “We just don’t agree with policy. We don’t hate the school, parents or anyone who is struggling with gender identity.”