New York advises schools to accept student gender identity, keep secret from parents in some cases

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) released 42 pages of new guidance for public schools Monday that includes a section about keeping children's gender transitions a secret from parents in some cases.

The report, titled "Creating a Safe, Supportive, and Affirming School Environment for Transgender and Gender Expansive Students," maintained that a student's gender identity should be based on the student's own assertion and that administrators should keep such information from families if they deem it necessary.

"School personnel’s acceptance of a student’s asserted gender identity should require no more than a statement from the student expressing their preference," the guidance says. "Schools do not need to require permission, letters from professionals, or other proof of gender identity."

The guidance also said the student "is in charge of their gender transition and the school’s role is to provide support."