Key Takeaways:
- Parental consent is no longer required for transgender and non-binary students to use their preferred names and pronouns in informal settings at school.
- Students under 16 still need parental consent to change their names on official school records.
- Schools will work with students who are uncomfortable telling their parents about their identity to create a support plan.
- The new policy emphasizes involving parents and families as much as possible while respecting the student's wishes.
- More training will be provided for teachers on supporting LGBTQ+ students.
The New Brunswick government, under Premier Susan Holt, has revised Policy 713, impacting how schools handle gender identity. This change, effective January 1, 2025, reverses a previous policy that mandated parental consent for students under 16 to use different names or pronouns at school.
The updated policy allows students of all ages to use their chosen names and pronouns informally without parental consent. However, parental consent remains necessary for official school records for those under 16. Education Minister Claire Johnson emphasized the goal is to balance student autonomy with parental involvement, ensuring a "sweet spot" that fosters open dialogue.
This revision follows recommendations from the province's child and youth advocate, Kelly Lamrock. Lamrock previously stated that the old policy violated students' rights. He suggested assessing younger students' capacity to make such decisions.
The government opted against an age threshold, believing any child can express their preference. This approach might face legal challenges, but it aligns with the principle that all students have "the right and presumed capacity to self-identify."
The New Brunswick Teacher's Association supports the changes, highlighting the need for inclusive learning environments. They also requested more training for teachers to better support LGBTQ+ students.
"We really wanted to make it explicit and obvious that we want to involve parents and families as much as possible," Johnson said.
This policy shift aims to create a safer space for students while encouraging parental awareness. Schools will handle each case individually, respecting students' wishes and working to create support plans if a student is hesitant to inform their parents.