The Woodland Park School District in Colorado is set to vote on a resolution that would recognize “only two sexes,” a move that has sparked concern among LGBTQ advocacy groups. The proposed resolution, titled “Recognizing Only Two Sexes and Rejecting Gender Ideology,” has raised alarm bells among organizations like Inside Out Youth Services in Colorado Springs.
The district, located in Teller County northwest of Colorado Springs, is home to 1,844 students. This latest development comes on the heels of a controversial decision by the school board to hire a new superintendent and adopt a social studies standard created by a right-wing advocacy group, which garnered national attention.
The timing of the vote is significant, as President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order stating that the federal government would only recognize two sexes: male and female. Conservative groups have applauded this decision, while medical and psychiatric experts argue that gender is a spectrum, not limited to a binary structure.
Trump’s administration has also taken steps to roll back protections for transgender individuals, including signing an executive order directing the secretary of education to eliminate federal funding for what is deemed “illegal and discriminatory treatment and indoctrination” in schools based on gender ideology.
In the midst of these developments, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is investigating Denver Public Schools for allegedly discriminating against female students by converting a girls’ restroom into a gender-neutral bathroom at East High School.
Advocates for transgender students emphasize the importance of affirming and respecting their identities. A survey conducted by the Trevor Project in 2024 found that transgender and nonbinary youth had lower rates of suicide attempts in schools that were gender-affirming.
Parents like Allison Avery-Wollenhaupt, whose child attends Columbine Elementary in Woodland Park, express dismay over the resolution being considered by the school board. They believe that such measures create an unwelcoming and unsafe environment for transgender students.
It is crucial for schools to create inclusive and supportive environments for all students, regardless of their gender identity. Stay tuned for updates on the outcome of the school board’s vote on this resolution.
