I attended the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education meeting this past Tuesday, and I spoke out against Policy 5756, a well-intentioned but deeply flawed policy that unfairly prioritizes transgender rights over those of cisgender girls. Although I had to leave after I spoke, I did watch the remainder of the meeting on YouTube. I’d like to share with you some thoughts and perceptions that I gathered from this experience.

First, I want to emphasize that I strongly believe that every student, irrespective of their gender identification or any other matters, deserves respect and protection from discrimination. However, this Policy 5756 forces female students to share bathrooms and locker rooms with individuals who were identified as male at birth but now identify as female, disregarding cisgender girls’ discomfort, concerns and rights. It also undermines fairness in sports by allowing biologically male athletes to compete against cisgender girls, putting them at an undeniable disadvantage in many sports. Protecting one group’s rights should not mean erasing safeguards for another.

Additionally, Policy 5756 wrongfully excludes parents from their child’s gender-related decisions at school, prohibiting teachers and staff from sharing vital information to the parents that impacts their child’s welfare. While some families may struggle with these gender-based conversations, most parents would and do offer the love and guidance their child needs. Cutting them out only causes more harm than good. I do not oppose transgender students, and I do not judge anyone and their family for what they have deemed appropriate for them. However, I did request that the Board revoke a policy that is clearly discriminatory. The Board should revoke Policy 5756.

I want to commend Board of Education members Jeremy Li and Lucy Li for their courage in calling for the revocation of this blatantly discriminatory policy. They have shown true leadership by standing up for what is right. I also appreciate Board member Jennifer Louchran for at least acknowledging that Policy 5756 needs revisions and attempting to push for change, while Emily Calistri appeared open to finding solutions. Unfortunately, it was clear that the rest of the Board, the majority of the members, remain indifferent to the rights of girls, prioritizing special interests over fairness and common sense.

It was also concerning to witness Superintendent Beers repeatedly interjecting during the meeting, pushing his own biased agenda instead of allowing the Board to deliberate independently. His overreach blurred the lines between his role as an administrator and that of a Board member. While it’s up to the Board of Education to address this issue, it was a troubling dynamic that only reinforced the need for strong leadership willing to stand up for all students—especially the girls whose rights this policy disregards.