Parents of children in Robinson elementary School in Raytown, MO last week received a letter from school officials notifying them that a child named Adam was returning to the school with the preferred name Jasmine.
Teachers will encourage students to continue to be respectful of all students in their classes and to treat others as they would like to be treated; according to the same respect they wish for themselves.
----Mrs. Elizabeth Arbisi, Principal
There are two videos at the first link above.
The letter mentioned that the letter was being sent with the consent of the parents. Knowing how these things go, I'm willing to bet that at least one of those parents figures the correct thing to do in the interest of the privacy of the transgender student was to forward a copy of the letter to the news media.
KMBC interviewed some local experts.
This is not about who you want to be. This is what you are. This is a genetic, medical condition, hardwired. One is born with it.
--Dr. Caroline Gibbs, of the Transgender Institute
Dr. Gibbs stretches scientific certainty there a bit.
Gender identity is separate from sexual orientation. They are two separate things. So if you ask a young person if they're male or female, they'll usually have an answer.
--Jessica Farmer, a counselor who works with gay and transgender youth
The news station interviewed a couple of parents who were driving by the school as well.
I am surprised it happened at the elementary level, yes I am. But, freedom, freedom.
--Leon Morgan
I don't know what to think, honestly. I think it's kind of sad. I think they're a little small, but I really don't know. I just tell my kids to make sure you're nice to everybody.
--Leah Yzagguire
KCTV5 took an alternative approach to the story, interviewing a different couple who have a transgender child. Tom and Debi's child A.J. came out to her parents at the age of 4.
Right before she turned 4 years old she said, 'you know I'm a girl inside, right?
--Debi
You can't make anybody be someone they're not.
--Tom
Our child pulled us along kicking and screaming. This was not our decision. This was not about who we are or what we wanted.
--Debi
It is impossible to teach a child how to be a transgender. It is not learned.
--Dr. Gibbs
There are also two videos here:
KCTV5.
And wouldn't you just know that the only video that embeds is from the local Fox station...and even more annoying, it runs automatically:
There have been questions about whether or not FERPA (the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act) has been violated in releasing this information. I'm sure that it is not in the best longterm interests of the child to have everyone in the Kansas City metropolitan area and the adjoining hinterland know her business.