The Fort Gender Benders are...
a group of students, parents, teachers, and community members in Fort Bend ISD. We have been working together for over two years to change the FBISD non-discrimination policy. Sign our petition now, and see below for more information!
Discrimination is bigger than just bullying. Discrimination is when somebody is treated unequally or denied certain rights because of who they are. The 2013 School Climate Survey, conducted by GLSEN, found that over half of LGBTQ students have personally experienced discriminatory policies and practices:
  • 28.2% of students reported being disciplined for public displays of affection that were not disciplined among non-LGBT students.
  • 18.1% of students were prevented from attending a dance or function with someone of the same gender.
  • 17.5% of students were prohibited from discussing or writing about LGBT topics in school assignments.
  • 15.5% of students were prevented from wearing clothing or items supporting LGBT issues 9.2% of students reported being disciplined for simply identifying as LGBT.
  • 42.2% of transgender students had been prevented from using their preferred name (10.8% of LGBT students overall);
  • And 31.6% of transgender students had been prevented from wearing clothes considered inappropriate based on their legal sex (19.2% of students overall).
The same study shows that LGBT students who experience discrimination at school are more likely to have lower GPAs, are more likely to miss school, are less likely to feel a sense of belonging to their school community, and have lower levels of self-esteem and higher levels of depression. While Fort Bend is typically friendly, it would be naïve to think that the district is immune to these statistics. We know that Fort Bend ISD trustees would never condone this type of discrimination, but to actually prevent it will require their action. Fort Bend ISD needs to put a policy on the books to protect LGBT students and employees from discrimination.