Omaha school board advances transgender policy update

Omaha, Neb. (AP) — The Omaha school board has advanced a measure updating the district anti-discrimination policy to include gender identity or gender expression, weathering a stormy debate.

Community members on both sides of the issue spoke at Monday night's meeting. Some critics of the proposal said the district was opening a Pandora's box, asking for more trouble. Others said the transgender students needed safe spaces to go to the bathroom or change clothes for physical education classes.

The district's policy was written in 2014 and bans discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religion, disability and age. The proposal approved on the board's first vote Monday would add gender expression and identity to the policy. A final vote is scheduled for next month.

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The Gayly – August 16, 2016 @ 7:25 a.m.