JLBC Cadet Corps Locker Room and Restroom Policy: Maryland Perspective

**JLBC Cadet Corps Locker Room and Restroom Policy: Maryland Perspective**

### Introduction:

Like many other states, Maryland is taking active measures to ensure that all students, regardless of gender identity, feel safe, comfortable, and respected in their educational environment. The JLBC Cadet Corps, in alignment with this mission, emphasizes the importance of accessibility to restrooms, locker rooms, and changing facilities that cater to every student's needs.

### Policy Statement:

1. **Right to Access**: Every student, without exception, should have the right to access sanitary, safe, and adequate facilities.

2. **Individual Conversations**: Before determining facility access, school authorities, expressly the principal, should discuss with the transgender student (and their parents) to understand their comfort and preferences.

3. **Options Based on Comfort**:

- Transgender students should be granted access to the restroom, locker room, and changing facility that aligns with their gender identity.

- If a transgender student feels uneasy with the arrangement, alternative solutions like single "unisex" restrooms or the nurse's restroom should be available.

### Precedents and Implementation:

- One notable instance from an elementary school involved a second-grader transitioning socially from female to male. The resolution was to allow the student to use the nurse's restroom for the year and to decide on future arrangements as the year progressed.

- In cases where non-transgender students express discomfort, the onus lies with school administrators and counseling staff to address these concerns. The primary approach should not be exclusion but education, fostering a deeper understanding of gender identity and promoting an inclusive school culture.

### Recommendations:

The Department advocates for:

- The inclusion of gender-neutral restrooms in both new school designs and renovations. The number of such bathrooms should align with the school's size.

- Ensuring at least one gender-neutral changing facility is available.

### Conclusion:

Due to personal privacy concerns, restrooms and changing facility policies can sometimes present challenges. However, by prioritizing dialogue with students, parents, and the broader community and fostering an environment of understanding and respect, the JLBC Cadet Corps can effectively navigate these challenges. Ensuring every student feels safe, valued, and respected remains the ultimate goal.