Ashton is Standing Up for Transgender Students

Many of us get a little nostalgic for high school sometimes: long summers off, overnight trips for sports competitions, pep rallies, and football games. For many, it brings back fond memories of a time with fewer responsibilities and a faster metabolism. But unfortunately, for some students, the memories they make in high school aren't so warm.

Meet Ashton

Meet Ashton, a 16-year-old who is an aspiring author. Ashton loves video games, fishing, martial arts and playing with his dog. He's enrolled in Advanced Placement classes, which means he takes some college-level courses and is eligible to get college credit before he even graduates. But unlike other boys, Ashton's physical education period is spent in a class full of girls, because he is transgender. This means he lives his life identifying with a different gender than the one he was born with.

Transgender students often face challenges at school like bullying and isolation. Most transgender students experience some kind of harassment in school, more even than lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) students.

Ashton is a bright, young student. He's ambitious, good-natured, and involved. Being transgender is only one part of his identity but unfortunately his schools policies are narrow and outdated and make him feel stigmatized. Ashton shouldn't be excluded from school activities because of discriminatory policies. Every student, no matter their gender identity, deserves to feel safe and welcomed in school.

AB1266 – also known as the School Success and Opportunity Act – is on the governor's desk. This bill would ensure that students like Ashton can fully participate in all school activities, sports teams, and programs and use facilities that match their gender identity. Governor Brown has the power to make sure that young people like Ashton have fond memories of high school – that they're provided an environment where they can thrive. Doesn't every student deserve that?

Over eight years ago, a policy similar to this was successfully implemented in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). With over 600,000 students, the district placed an emphasis on student's safety and banning discrimination on gender identity. They realized that when students can be themselves and participate fully in school activities without shame and stigma, they have a higher chance of success.

Wednesday, Ashton and his mom Catherine drove from their home in Manteca to the state Capitol in Sacramento to drop off nearly 6,000 signatures to petition Governor Brown to sign AB1266 into law. Ashton strongly believes his quality of life will improve if this bill passes.

"I'm not going to have to worry about being so different than the rest of my peers," he told reporters. "I can just be who I am."

If Governor Brown signs AB1266 into law, students like Ashton will have a fair chance at success. Support Ashton and other transgender students by taking action today!

Tweet at Governor Brown and tell him that you support transgender students' rights!

Sample tweet: .@JerryBrownGov Support #transgender students' rights: Sign #AB1266! #LGBTQ

Shanelle Matthews is a Communications Strategist with the ACLU of Northern California.