LOUISVILLE, Ky. — With the first day of school around the corner, Jefferson County Public School board members are facing some pressure. It’s because they haven’t made a decision on a policy on implementing Senate Bill 150.
The new law bans discussions on gender identity, sexual orientation or gender expression. Teachers and staff are not required to use students’ requested pronouns and schools can no longer allow transgender students to use restrooms, locker rooms or shower rooms for students of a different “biological sex” than theirs, per language in the law.
In late July, the board voted to table the discussion to another day.
Madelyn Spalding voiced her concerns during a recent board meeting.
“Well, it affects my family on a really personal level in a lot of different ways,” Spalding said.
It’s because the new law affects schools.
“When this hit, this affected the community that I work with for my job. But it also hit my family because my spouse is a JCPS librarian and there’s so much confusion over what the law actually says schools need to implement by this new school year,” Spalding said.
She is a trans woman and mother to three children.
“On a personal note, the effect of the legislation on my own mental health and my community’s mental health, not just the kids, but the adults has been dramatic. But we see it most profoundly in the kids,” Spalding said.
The uncertainty of how SB150 will be executed is at the top of her mind.
“Mental health care facilities are being inundated right now with youth who are more and more feeling like they’re targets in part of a political game,” Spalding said. “That their lives are being bargained with and they’re being offered up as a sacrifice.”
In late July, JCPS held off on making a formal decision on two draft versions.
Now people are waiting to hear what happens next. Spalding says she will help students through her work with Louisville Youth Group.
“I’m part of the LGBTQIA cohort with JCPS, so I’m working with their counselors in the fall to help instruct them on how they can be more validating for trans students and teachers at their schools,” Spalding said.
A decision could come any time with school starting Aug. 9.
“I feel for my community and I fear for my community as these things take effect,” Spalding said.
According to Kentucky law, the board has until Aug. 15 to make a decision.
JCPS’s next board meeting is also scheduled on Aug. 15.