Indianapolis Public Schools board pledges support to LGBTQ students after governor signs gender-affirming care ban

The Indianapolis Public Schools district passed a resolution Thursday evening in support of LGBTQ students in the state's largest school district. The pledge comes just after Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a bill to prevent minors from receiving medicinal and surgical gender-affirming care for transgender youth. 

Senate Bill 480 bans minors from receiving medical care such as hormone therapy and puberty blockers, and forces transgender youth to de-transition by the end of 2023.

“It is our purpose to ensure that every student and staff member feels safe and welcome in their classroom and place of employment,”IPS Commissioner Kenneth Allen said as he read the resolution. “Whereas, actively fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all people — and particularly all students — regardless of race, color, creed, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or age is a core value of the Indianapolis Public Schools Board of Commissioners.”

This week lawmakers also approved House Bill 1608, which limits educators’ discussions of human sexuality in pre-K through third grade, and requires teachers to notify parents if a student requests to change their name, title or pronouns while at school. Gov. Eric Holcomb had not signed the bill as of Thursday night.

Devin Lintzenich, art teacher at Arlington Middle School, said she’s concerned laws like these will gut arts education and diminish students’ self-expression. She’s also worried the bills could force her to take actions that could harm students. 

“The alternative is that I have to stand up in front of every group of students I teach and tell them that due to the hateful actions of the few, the classroom is no longer a safe place for them to express themselves,” Lintzenich said during the Thursday meeting.

Indiana’s gender affirming care ban goes into effect July 1. The ACLU of Indiana filed a lawsuit earlier this month to try and halt the law from going into effect. 

Contact WFYI education reporter Elizabeth Gabriel at egabriel@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @_elizabethgabs.