Cincinnati schools told to ‘consider’ reporting child abuse if parents unsupportive of child’s gender identity

Cincinnati public schools have been advised to "consider" reporting child abuse to child protective services if a student’s parents are unsupportive of his or her gender identity.

A student's transgender status is confidential and such information "should not be shared with parents if disclosing the information to parents could put the student at risk of harm at home," according to a 2021 memo by the Cincinnati Board of Education’s Policy and Equity Committee.

"A student's transgender status, sex at birth, and legal name are all confidential records," the memo states. "Special consideration should be given by schools about disclosing a student's gender identity to parents."

The memo, which was published in the Board of Education's meeting minutes, tells schools to consider reporting child abuse to Hamilton County Job and Family Services if a student’s gender identity puts them at risk at home.