Dixon schools produce draft of optional gender identity form

DIXON – Gender identity and sexual orientation will be information that parents can disclose about their children during registration for 2022-23 school year, said Superintendent Margo Empen during the regular board of education meeting.

Empen confirmed that providing this information is optional after a question from board Vice President Rachael Gehlbach.

The form has a “Choose not to answer” field.

Empen provided a copy of the new registration form to the board, explaining that it has been updated by student information officer Jane Gascoigne to comply with Public Act 102-0543.

Empen said she was providing this to the board in the event parents may ask: “Why are they asking this of a kindergartner?” “What is their purpose?”

Registration for kindergartners begins in March. Because this is the first year of the act, however, all students who register for the 2022-23 school year will be given the option to update their student information.

Board President Linda Wegner asked: “They’re collecting data to see if the needs of these students are being met?”

Empen explained that the Illinois State Board of Education and 10 other state agencies are asked to gather information on age, sex, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity and primary or preferred language.

The information will be used to help researchers, lawmakers and community stakeholders address education, health and social disparities that might exist, including those in the LGBTQ community.

Board member Jon Wadsworth inquired as to the source of the definitions provided with the form. He wanted to be clear that it was the state that provided the definitions of various categories of gender and sexual orientation, not the district.

Empen said she believed the definitions were provided by the act and came from the Illinois State Board of Education, but that she would double check.

Under gender identity, students can choose to list male, female, nonbinary, gender noncomfirming, not listed or choose not to answer.

Under sexual orientation, the categories are straight (heterosexual), lesbian, gay, asexual, bisexual, pansexual, not sure/questioning, not listed or choose not to answer.