Letter in Response to Great Hearts' Anti-Transgender Policy
To the Great Hearts Arizona Board of Directors, Great Hearts America Board of Directors, and the larger community of the Great Hearts Academies:
As alumni, students, parents, and staff, it is our responsibility to care for all members of the Great Hearts community and to speak out against injustice. For that reason, we write to express our support for transgender and non-binary/gender non-conforming students at the Great Hearts academies and to condemn the discriminatory policies passed by the Great Hearts Board of Directors.
Transgender (trans) and non-binary/gender non-conforming (NB/GNC) students have shown remarkable patience and strength advocating for their right to be treated with the same dignity and protection as their peers. Rather than support students and foster inclusive communities, Great Hearts’ policies contribute to transphobic violence and discrimination. In addition to turning everyday moments into legal and social minefields, these policies deny trans and NB/GNC students the right of being called their name, dressing in gender-appropriate attire, and using the restroom between classes. Without regard to students’ dignity, Great Hearts’ administrators suggest that trans and NB/GNC students are wrong about who they are.
Let’s be clear. This is not just about bathrooms. This is about holistically caring for all members of our community. Discriminatory laws and anti-transgender practices create a culture in which trans and NB/GNC youth experience high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. Policies like those at the Great Hearts Academies lead to poorer academic performance and economic insecurity for trans and NB/GNC kids and adults. By refusing to respect students’ pronouns, denying them access to restrooms and other facilities, and by condoning a culture of disrespect, these policies threaten the physical health and safety of all students, and trans and NB/GNC students in particular. If left unchanged, Great Hearts’ policies put the lives and health of its community members at risk and diminish the credibility of Great Hearts’ support for its students, teachers, parents, and graduates.
We find it outrageous that the Great Hearts Board has prioritized the prejudices of certain board members over the lives and wellbeing of its students. We are aware that certain members of the board have been outspoken not only in their opposition to full equality and protection for transgender people, but more broadly in their bigotry against the larger LGBTQ community. These views are unacceptable.
Instead of permitting trans and NB/GNC students to use the bathrooms, names, clothing, and pronouns that align with their gender identities, the board obstructs a growing movement for trans rights and social justice. We urge the Board members, many of whom are leaders in business, to consider the amicus brief filed by Apple, IBM, Microsoft, and 50 other companies in support of Gavin Grimm’s case before the Supreme Court. As Gavin Grimm fights for his right to use the restroom of his choice, we urge Great Hearts to adopt policies that affirm students’ dignity and gender identities. As directors of a public charter school network, we also ask the Board to hear the arguments made by former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, the Montgomery County Public Schools, and school administrators from 31 states and the District of Columbia. Finally we ask the Board members, many of whom are people of faith, to acknowledge the appeal made by a consortium of over 1,800 individual leaders across a diverse range of religious traditions.
To the Board of the Great Hearts Academies: we ask that you immediately reverse Great Hearts' “Biological Sex and Gender” Policy. We further ask that students be allowed to use the bathrooms and locker rooms that are appropriate to their gender, and that they be allowed to dress in appropriate clothing under the existing school dress code. We also ask that teachers and coaches respect the names and gender pronouns of trans and NB/GNC students, and that teachers and coaches require their classmates to do the same. Finally, we ask that the Board review the ways in which existing policies contribute to harassment and discrimination against students who are trans and NB/GNC, and we ask the Board to actively develop policies to make students of all gender identities feel supported and affirmed at school.
To Tim, Rachel, and all of the trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming students at the Great Hearts schools: we love you and we’re here for you. You’ve probably heard your teachers and classmates talk a lot about the search to find what is true and good and beautiful, and we think it is hypocritical that the Board fails to live up to these virtues on the campuses and in the classrooms of Great Hearts schools. Know that we care about you and write in solidarity.
Signed,
Nick Fiore, Veritas Prep, Class of 2012
Jacquelyn Kovarik, Veritas Prep, Class of 2013
Sean Mulloy, Chandler Prep, Class of 2010
Rachel Molzen, Chandler Prep, Class of 2010
Tom Osborn Popp, Chandler Prep, Class of 2010
Sophie Duncan, Veritas Prep, Class of 2012
Caroline Noonan, Veritas Prep, Class of 2015
Emma Tehrani, Veritas Prep, Class of 2012
Katerina Noori, Chandler Prep, Class of 2010
Anthi Noori, Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Conner Chase, Veritas Prep, 2006-2009
Ryan Greene, Veritas Prep, Class of 2012
Camila Carvallo Bravo, Veritas Prep, Class of 2016
Andrea Tedesco, Tempe Prep, Class of 2011
Hannah Duncan, Veritas Prep, Class of 2011
Alexandra ‘Lexie’ Filkins, Chandler Prep, Class of 2012
Brianna Malmborg, Chandler Prep, class of 2012
Paul Di Ciccio, Chandler Prep, class of 2012
Benjamin Belisle, Chandler Prep, Class of 2012
Chachi De la Cruz, Veritas Prep, Class of 2011
Pam Osborn Popp, Chandler Prep, Class of 2012
Mollie Peters, Chandler Prep, Class of 2012
Amy Lundy, Chandler Prep, Class of 2012
Shauna Park, Chandler Prep, Class of 2012
Josh Quenneville, Chandler Prep, Class of 2012
Claudia Nunez-Eddy, Chandler Prep, Class of 2012
Jessica Sadler, Chandler Prep, Class of 2010
Sally Tyre, Veritas Prep, Class of 2016
Arianna Diaz, Veritas Prep, Class of 2013
Noah Crawford, Veritas Prep, Class of 2014
Isabella Rosales, Veritas Prep, Class of 2014
Kat Magerkurth, Veritas Prep, Parent
Calen Firedancing, Glendale Prep, Class of 2016
Jake Jahrmarkt, Glendale Prep, Class of 2016
Tyler Zehrung, Glendale Prep, Class of 2016
Quinn Kemlage, Glendale Prep, Class of 2016
Eugene Hammer, Glendale Prep, Class of 2016
Daniel Ashcroft, Glendale Prep, Class of 2016
Justin Underhill, Glendale Prep, Class of 2016
Cody Newman, Glendale Prep, Class of 2016
Sara Strand, Glendale Prep, Class of 2016
Kristopher Rapeta, Glendale Prep, Class of 2016
Sarah Tinlin, Glendale Prep, Class of 2016
Augustus Parker, Glendale Prep, Class of 2016
Nick Bell, Glendale Prep, Class of 2016
Travis Brock McElroy, Veritas Prep, Class of 2012
Ashley Zehrung, Glendale Prep
Majerle Lister, Veritas Prep, Class of 2012
Shae Harrold, Glendale Prep, Class of 2015
Amanda Wynn, Glendale Prep, Class of 2013
Joseph Dwork, Veritas Prep, Class of 2012
Kareem Cedeño, Glendale Prep, Class of 2017
Maddi Kummeth, Glendale Prep, Class of 2016
Audrey Farmer, Glendale Prep, Class of 2018
Steven Cochrane, Glendale Prep, Class of 2019
Katie Fosgreen, Glendale Prep, Class of 2019
Kaileigh Walker, Glendale Prep, Class of 2014
Samantha Akers, Scottsdale Prep, Class of 2015
Volpe Vo, Glendale Prep, Class of 2017
Tess Suchoff, Veritas Prep, Class of 2009
Darby Dunlop, Veritas Prep, Class of 2015
Dale Kvittem-Barr, Glendale Prep, Parent
Isabella Harris, Veritas Prep, Class of 2016
Aaron Thorpe, Veritas Prep, Class of 2015
Bailey Musselman, Veritas Prep, Class of 2014
Joy Pajarla, Glendale Prep, Class of 2017
Jinui Thomas, Trivium Prep, Class of 2017
Jack Fresquez, Trivium Prep, Class of 2017
Athena Burton, Veritas Prep, Class of 2016
Alex Indacochea, Glendale Prep, Class of 2019
Barbara Kvittem-Barr, Glendale Prep, Parent
Regina Pearson, Veritas Prep, Class of 2014
Zoe Swann, Veritas Prep, Class of 2015
Emiliano Carvallo, Veritas Prep, Class of 2014
Mikayla Kvittem-Barr, Glendale Prep
Mary Toman, Veritas Prep, Class of 2011
Brittany Kvittem-Barr, Glendale Prep, Class of 2016
Kyle Kisicki, Veritas Prep, Class of 2012
Isabella Villalon, Veritas Prep, Class of 2014
Joy Pajarla, Glendale Prep, Class of 2017
Amanda Myers, Veritas Prep, Class of 2015
Fatima Rodriguez, Glendale Prep, Class of 2017
Nicholas Cohn, Glendale Prep, Class of 2016
Camille Johnson, Veritas Prep, Class of 2010
Yen Thao Lam, Trivium Prep, Class of 2017
Chanel McElroy, Veritas Prep, Class of 2015
Kristina Shishkova, Glendale Prep, Class of 2018
Heath Hilliard, Veritas Prep, Class of 2012
Sarah Lerner, Veritas Prep, Class of 2012
Ariane Wilson, Veritas Prep, Class of 2011
Margo Swann, Veritas Prep, Class of 2015
Darrah Johnson, Trivium Prep, Class of 2018
Isaac Wen, Trivium Prep, Class of 2017
Raven Hayakawa, Glendale Prep, Class of 2018
Anne Maree Callaway, Glendale Prep, Class of 2018
Celine Sannes-Pond, Chandler Prep, Class of 2012
Keven Topper, Chandler Prep, Teleos Prep, North Phoenix Prep, Former Headmaster
Ben Thomas, Veritas Prep, Class of 2016
Emeline Bookspan, Veritas Prep, Class of 2016
Audrey Havelah Laughrey, Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Samantha Hui, Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Jana Logan , Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Chase Grindler, Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Konnor Smith, Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Winston Matthews, Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Matthew Padgett, Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Natasha Gibbs, Class of 2016
Brianna Winiesdorffer, Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Sonja Stone, Scottsdale Prep, Parent
Melanie Young, North Phoenix Preparatory Academy, Former Assistant Headmaster
Connor Murphy, Veritas Prep, Class of 2016
Tracy Challis, Chandler Prep, Former Teacher
Lydia Bateman, Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Terry Stone, Scottsdale Prep, Parent
Jonathan Gilbert, Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Lauren Evans, Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Kyle Scott, Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Marisa Fernandez, Veritas Prep, Class of 2010
Noah Wuerfel, Chandler Prep, Class of 2013
Chloe LeClaire, Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Christine Chan, Veritas Prep, Class of 2010
Catrina Walters, Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Adam Le, Glendale Prep, Class of 2015
Ryan Ferdowsian, Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Jenae Hirsch, Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Connie NcHenry, North Phoenix Prep
Prakash Pathak, Veritas Prep, Former Teacher
Sneha Srinivasan, Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Steven C Callaway , Glendale Prep, Parent
Zachary Laughrey, Chandler Prep, Parent
Alexia Filler, Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Audrey Beermann, Glendale Prep, Class of 2020
Lourian Iankov, Veritas Prep, Class of 2016
Kelli Rockwell, Chandler Prep, Class of 2013
Lauren Hesse, Chandler Prep, Former Teacher
Emily Weber, Chandler Prep, Class of 2014
Kaili Marion, Chandler Prep, Class of 2016
Danielle Gin, Chandler Prep, Class of 2013
Lyndsay Campbell, Chandler Prep, Class of 2013
Gisele Smith, Chandler Prep, Class of 2013
Kevin Tran, Chandler Prep, Class of 2013
Kendall Fiore, Chandler Prep, Class of 2013
Christiane Harris, Chandler Prep, Class of 2013
Kyle Turpin, Chandler Prep, Class of 2013
Morgan Stone, Scottsdale Prep, Class of 2015
Annie Mazzarella, Scottsdale Prep, Class of 2015
Jocelyn Refermat, Scottsdale Prep, Class of 2014
Cecina Babich Morrow, Scottsdale Prep, Class of 2014
Connor Owen, Scottsdale Prep, Class of 2013
Isabel Eusebio, Scottsdale Prep, Class of 2014
Harry Standring , Chandler Prep, Class of 2014
Erin Weber, Scottsdale Prep, Class of 2014
Samuel Hoel, Chandler Prep, Class of 2013
Bella Tindall, Scottsdale Prep, Class of 2016
Lacey Bookspan, Veritas Prep, Class of 2013
Dana Hedman, Chandler Prep, Class of 2017
Daniel Gilbert, Chandler Prep, Class of 2018
Elyse Salisz, Veritas Prep, Class of 2011
Benjamin Bonfiglio, Veritas Prep, Class of 2012
Gina Montion, Veritas Prep, Parent
Kallie Peeples, Chandler Prep
Julia Simons, Chandler Prep, Class of 2013
Jack Kent, Scottsdale Prep, Class of 2014
Olivia Marchus, Chandler Prep, Class of 2013
Lorraine Doman-Sheydayi, Chandler Prep, Parent
Alexei Sheydayi, Chandler Prep, Parent
Laurel Fiore, Veritas Prep, Parent
Jacob Heimlich, Glendale Prep, Class of 2013
Sarah Wilkerson, Veritas Prep, Class of 2012
Valerie Miller, Chandler Prep, Parent
Alice Casey, Chandler Prep, Parent
Diana Dunnigan, North Phoenix Prep, Parent
Anya Kisicki, Veritas Prep, Class of 2018
Laura Inman, Veritas Prep, Former Teacher
Ben Rushlo, Glendale Prep, Parent
Julie Higginbotham, Glendale Prep, Parent
Joel Sannes, Parent
Mike Litoris, Teleos Prep, Class of 2014
Sammy Schneider, Veritas Prep, Class of 2016
Olivia Marino, Veritas Prep, Class of 2018
Sarah Schneider, Veritas Prep
Taylor Beale, Veritas Prep, Class of 2018