Bellevue East school board changed its transgender policy so that students must go to the bathroom corresponding with their biological sex, causing a conflict of beliefs. 

During the April 14 Board of Education meeting, people from around the Bellevue community came and spoke about the transgender policies change. Throughout the meeting there was no one with a neutral stance; everyone was either strongly for or against the change.

“We don’t solve one child’s discomfort by discriminating against another,” Bellevue resident Catherine O’Brien said. 

Speaking against the change, Catherine O’Brien  made her opinion clear. She spoke out to protect any transgender people, and throughout the meeting, safety was a common thread for both sides.

“These are not political issues, these are issues of student health and safety,” Bellevue resident Becky Mort said.

Trevor Project has shown that transgender students are four times as likely to be harassed. Neither the school board, or people for or against the policy change wanted any forms of violence.

“Trans students are far more likely to be harassed than a threat,” O’Brien said. 

While the school board and Dr. Rippe assured students, parents, and the community that bullying would be prevented, there were still concerns. Linda Vermooten, a former candidate for the Nebraska State Board of Education, spoke for the change, worried about safety in bathrooms.

“What are we doing to protect our girls?” Vermooten said.

The Bellevue administration decided to change the policy to have students go to the restroom of their gender assigned at birth. This change has brought about a lot of controversy, and many concerns for students.

“In the psychological journals, what’s called DSM5, transgenderism is what’s considered a mental illness,” Mack Capello said. “It’s called gender dysphoria, and a lot of kids throughout their teenage years go through a lot of confusion.”

Capello sees the change as Bellevue starting to help students, and keep away from encouraging mental illnesses. Many people throughout the situation are worried about students, whether it’s classmates, parents, or community members.

“I think it’s important for students to know about [the change] so that they can, one, be educated; two, inform other students on the situation; and three, hopefully try and provide a safe space for their fellow classmates,” sophomore Parker Davis said.

Multiple people have made it clear that students are not alone no matter what they think. The Bellevue administrators are making sure to remind everyone that students will remain safe and they are still able to express themselves.

“Any transgender student who feels they need accommodations related to restrooms and locker spaces should visit with a building administrator,” administrator Jeff Rippe said. “Administrators in each building are to work with transgender students and their parents to discuss reasonable accommodations, any potential impact, and how the school can best meet the student’s needs.”