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A Linn-Mar resident read a letter on behalf of an anonymous student who felt uncomfortable to share their opinion on the proposed transgender policy, which passed the board 5-2 on Monday night.

The student’s letter said they were very concerned about the policy and wrote anonymously because they felt they’d be judged by students and staff for having their opinion.

The student said LGBTQ students and those who support them are favored over others.

“There’s no equality at Linn-Mar,” the student’s letter said.

The student’s letter referred to the girl who was raped in Loudon County by a boy who wore a skirt and identified as a girl.

“I would not put this action past some of the students at Linn-Mar,” the student’s letter said. “This policy is a safety concern. I would not feel comfortable changing in front of a transgender student in locker rooms. I would not be comfortable being in a bathroom with a transgender student. Many, many students feel the same way as I.”

Keeping secrets between parents and children “greatly undermines” the relationship, the student’s letter said. The student referred to a school trip to Florida where one of their close friends was put in a hotel room with a nonbinary student and a transgender student.

“My friend did not make this choice and expressed being extremely comfortable with this situation to me,” the letter said. “However, my friend was too scared to say anything about their feelings to a teacher because my friend was scared to speak an opinion that would probably not be accepted by other students and staff. My friend had to room with a nonbinary student and a transgender student because there is a major bias in the Linn-Mar School District.”

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