Here is a lesson in creating a successful transition in a customer-facing organization. Time will tell how this approach will fare, but I think it is well-calculated to reduce the anxieties associated with diversity.
A transgender high school teacher is transitioning in New York State. This is an issue that has arisen before with some regularity since the 1970s, though the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, in reporting on the situation, says that it appears "unique not just for this area but for the entire country." I've discussed the Paula Grossman court case from the early 1970s, and in the news there have been, to name a few, Dana Rivers and Jennifer Wilhelmi in California, Lily McBeth in New Jersey, Randey Michelle Gordon in New York, Debra Davis and Alyssa Williams in Minnesota, and Michelle Hendricks in Connecticut.
The situation may not be unique, but the aplomb with which the school district is handling it is.
Batavia, New York is a small suburb of Buffalo, and a two-hour car ride from the red state of Ohio. Rather than dismissal, reassignment or secrecy, however, the usual ways of handling this issue, the Batavia City School District held a community discussion on the issue for parents, and will discuss the issue with students on the first day of classes. There will also be a further meeting for the entire community a week after school begins to watch a video presentation about transgendered people. The district held a meeting for parents last night featuring the school district's attorney and a gender identity expert, who discussed the legal protections and medical issues surrounding those who wish to live their lives as transgendered people. The district is holding the community meetings with the teacher's permission. However, the district's attorney said the district would not reveal the teacher's identity.
Here's more news coverage: An interesting audio clip: WBEN 930 : Meeting In Batavia Tonight On Transgender Teacher A negative story from NBC News, which quotes only fearful parents: http://www.wstm.com/Global/story.asp?S=5337818&nav=2aKD This story's more balanced, and has an interesting picture: http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=37B1967F-6A22-4437-9B1B-80DED332EC5F
