“Over the past forty-eight hours, my social media, email inbox, and phone have been flooded with dozens of hateful messages calling for my resignation from the North Kingstown School Committee. Fueled by articles released by Fox News and the Daily Mail, these messages are yet another example of the right-wing’s attempts to fan the flames of transphobia. Even worse, these articles were released on November 20th, the Transgender Day of Remembrance, and the day after the horrific shooting at Club Q, an LGBTQIA+ club in Colorado Springs, CO.

“Words alone are not enough to express how much my heart aches for the people of Colorado Springs and the entire LGBTQIA+ community. I stand in solidarity with the survivors, family, and friends. We cannot ignore when bigotry and hatred rear its ugly head and must do everything in our power to protect, support, and create safe places for the marginalized youth in our community.

“That is why, on November 12th, I shared a post from the page “Gender-inclusive Schools” to my school committee’s Facebook page addressing the deliberate misgendering of trans and gender nonconforming students in schools. I stand by the statement I posted because I believe denying someone’s experience is to knowingly and willfully bring harm. Students from marginalized communities deserve respect, dignity, and belonging. Every child should have public officials who will protect them, fight for them, and do everything in our power to dignify their humanity and experiences.

“We must not wait for reports of discrimination or harassment to create gender-inclusive schools but rather do the hard work of proactively examining ways we can mitigate harm and encourage belonging. We can and must lead the way to protect our LGBTQIA+ youth. They already have the undue burden of having to navigate a world in which they face increasing hostility around simple, day-to-day decisions, such as where they can go to the bathrooms, where they can play sports, and how to present themselves to the world. As adults who have never, and will never, have to experience this type of marginalization, it is critical that we use our privilege to stand up for our children and protect their right to live as their authentic selves.

“This onslaught of hate messages for daring to demand safe spaces for our students is a reminder of just how critical it is that we call out the harmful rhetoric that is being used to describe members of the LGBTQIA+ community every day. The best way to defeat hate is to show up, stand up, and speak up. What we tolerate, we normalize. Reject bigotry in all its forms whenever you see it. Expect your elected officials to do the same.

“Thank you to all the activists, advocates, and empathetic adults who call out transphobia and continue to fight for a safe world for our LGBTQIA+ youth to thrive! I learn from you and am grateful to work with you to stand up for our LGBTQIA+ youth.”