Articles from the Constitution State
School board split
The Greenwich School Board is grappling with a key sentence in its Title IX policy that protects transgender students.
The sentence in question? “Discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex includes discrimination or harassment on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.”
“[The sentence] is there to protect students from discrimination on the basis of gender. And right now, we know that that includes gender orientation,” attorney Andrew Miltenberg told the Greenwich Time. “It would seem to me that this is being used obviously as sort of a political hot potato as opposed to really having a student interest.”
However, board members have split along political party affiliations over whether or not to keep it in their Title IX policy.
Greenwich Time reported in mid-April that the sentence had been unanimously included in the board-approved policy on January 20, but two board members since raised concerns over transgender girls being allowed to play in school sports.
Out Film CT
“Connecticut’s longest-running film festival,” Out Film CT is hosting their 35th annual LGBTQ Film Festival from June 3–12.
This year’s event will feature both virtual and in-person screenings, with the in-person screenings being held at Cinestudio on the Trinity College campus. The festival received more than 650 film submissions this year, a record number for the festival, which has run every June since 1988 with the exception of 2020 when it was delayed until October due to the pandemic.
More: outfilmct.org
Inappropriate postings
A Hartford, Connecticut public schools nurse was placed on administrative leave after posting inappropriate comments about LGBTQ students and allegedly revealing “private and personal” details about a particular student in a Facebook group.
“The nurse used a personal social media account; however, the manner in which the comments were shared, and the values they express are totally inconsistent with what we stand for. HPS does not tolerate any language that could be harmful to our community,” Torres-Rodriguez stated in the letter.
“Hartford Public Schools strives to provide an inclusive environment where all students feel seen, valued, respected, and heard. We uphold all of our staff to a high standard, entrusting them to be caretakers and leaders in the community.”
“We as a school district are responsible for the health, well-being, social and emotional development, and safety of ALL of the children entrusted to our care. It is our responsibility to support our students’ growth, personal experiences, and social-emotional development. It is unacceptable for any member of our community to make any student feel unwelcome, especially someone that has a responsibility to serve as a trusted confidant and obligation to preserve their personal health and well-being.”
Health Care equality leader
In late March, the Human Rights Campaign released their 15th annual Healthcare Equality Index, the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey of policies and practices around inclusive and equitable treatment of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees.
Many facilities across all six New England states scored well on the survey, with 23 facilities earning top scores, designating them “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leaders,” and nine of them are in Connecticut.
Among these top-scoring facilities are Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, Griffin Hospital in Derby, Hartford Hospital, Illume Fertility in Norwalk, Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, MidState Medical Center in Meriden, Natchaug Hospital in Mansfield Center, Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain and Windham Hospital in Willimantic.
HRC also recognized 10 “Top Performers” in the state: St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, VA Connecticut Health Care System in West Haven, Wheeler Hartford, Anchor Health Initiative in Hampden, Bridgeport Hospital, Bristol Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London and Yale New Haven Hospital.
Univesity of Connecticut Student Health and Wellness in Storrs and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford were noted for adopting foundational policies of LGBTQ+ inclusion and equitability. And UConn John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington was recognized for also working with HRC as a survey participant.
More: hrc.org
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