Gender inclusivity policy
In alignment with Gordon’s Statement on Inclusivity, it is Gordon School’s intention to provide a school community safe for people of all genders.
The following is drawn from the school’s full Policy and Practices for a Gender
Inclusive Community document, which is available online. These introductory paragraphs are adapted from Safe is Not Enough: Better Schools for LGBTQ Students by Michael Sadowski.
Through policy, practice, professional development, and parent education, Gordon aims to create an informed and affirming environment in which all children can develop a healthy self-image and thrive as confident, self-aware learners who are able to engage with and work well with others. In all academic divisions, faculty and administration take a student’s lead in acknowledging and affirming their gender identity and are aware that gender may present in different ways.
Gordon recognizes that gender is not binary and that while many people identify as female/women/girls or male/men/boys, some people identify as both, neither, fluid, or use other language to describe their gender. Members of the Gordon community are expected to honor a person’s gender identity as the person articulates and expresses it. This expectation holds true for staff, faculty, families, students, and guests of the Gordon community. When possible, Gordon will aim for gender neutral and inclusive practices. Any existing programming or spaces that are separated by gender will be made accessible to the student based on their asserted gender.
For the purposes of the policy, asserted gender refers to the way that one may self-identify, articulate, and/or express their gender. Asserted gender does not need to match their assigned sex at birth, nor be fixed. We acknowledge that how someone asserts their gender may vary based on one’s age and developing sense of self.
The full Policy and Practices for a Gender Inclusive Community document can be downloaded as a PDF.