GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A new policy in Green Bay diocese Catholic schools requires staff, parents and students to be referred to by their biological sex at birth, instead of by their preferred pronouns.
The Diocese says the reasoning is to maintain Church teachings, but not everyone is satisfied with that answer.
Reiko Ramos is a youth and young adult advocate for Diverse and Resilient in Appleton.
“Schools should be a place that are safe for all students,” Ramos said.
Ramos isn’t surprised by the Diocese of Green Bay instituting this new policy, leaving those who want to go by preferred pronouns to search for answers.
“Having to decide, if they have a supportive family, is this the community that I’m going to stay in,” said Ramos.
The policy says, “Students shall conduct themselves in accord with their biological sex at all times.”
And “All students and their parents will be addressed and referred to with pronouns in accord with their biological sex.”
The Diocese says in a statement, “Some young people might feel drawn to dress, act and even manipulate their physical bodies in ways contrary to God’s plan. We advocate that young people, working with their parents, bring these issues to their pastor or other trained Christian professionals who might best assist them in clarifying and defining God’s plan.”
Ramos says that can lead to trauma for some individuals, saying some may be questioning if they should stay in Catholic schools.
“Really, that is asking someone to uproot themselves from a community, from a school,” said Ramos, “from peers that they maybe have been connected to their entire lives.”
The policy adds that students will participate in sports that are in line with their biological sex.
Schools will also not allow puberty-blocking or cross-sex hormones on school grounds.
Ramos reminds students that help is just around the corner.
“There are other spaces where you can seek out support,” Ramos said. “Diverse and Resilient is certainly a resource for any LGBTQ person who has experienced faith-based trauma.”
FOX 11 tried securing an interview with the Diocese of Green Bay but was not successful.
