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Michigan education board to vote on LGBT guidance to schools

Posted at 5:05 AM, Sep 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-14 05:05:39-04

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan’s education board is set to vote on guidance to schools on creating an inclusive environment for LGBT students.

The guidelines are voluntary but have spurred criticism from conservative lawmakers, particularly over restroom and bathroom policies for transgender students.

After receiving more than 13,000 public comments, the State Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the guidance Wednesday.

Proposed recommendations to schools include making good faith efforts to address students by their chosen name and pronoun when asked. The guidance also urges schools to let transgender students use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity.

Education officials say the draft guidance was amended to encourage local school districts to engage their communities in the development of their own policies and to urge greater consideration for parental involvement.