A private Christian school in Florida told parents ahead of the coming school year that students will only be identified by their “biological sex” and said that students who are found “participating” in gay or transgender lifestyles will be asked to “leave the school immediately.”
“We believe that God created mankind in His image: male (man) and female (woman), sexually different but with equal dignity,” the email sent by Grace Christian School Administrator Barry McKeen to school community in June reads, according to NBC News.
“Therefore, one’s biological sex must be affirmed and no attempts should be made to physically change, alter, or disagree with one’s biological gender — including, but not limited to, elective sex reassignment, transvestite, transgender, or non-binary gender fluid acts of conduct (Genesis 1:26-28). Students in school will be referred to by the gender on their birth certificate and be referenced in name in the same fashion,” the email continued.
The private Christian school is located in Valrico, Florida, which is less than 20 miles outside of Tampa. NBC News obtained a copy of the email, which was sent to parents on June 6 with the subject line, “Important School Policy Point of Emphasis. … Please Read.”
The email to parents states that the policies on gay and transgender issues are not new, but that parents “have to agree to all policies and procedures before your student may start school in August.”
“Students who are found participating in these lifestyles will be asked to leave the school immediately,” the email added.
McKeen spoke to Fox News Digital later on Sunday and explained that the rule applies to any student partaking in sexual activity outside of a marriage.
“We don’t expect any of our students who are not married to be sexual, whether it be bisexual, heterosexual or homosexual,” McKeen said on Sunday. “I tell people, if a kid came in the doors, exclaiming how he was having sex with his girlfriend that student would be expelled as well.”
One mother said she pulled her high school daughter, who identifies as lesbian, from the school following the email. “I actually respect their opinion,” the mom, who asked to conceal her identity for fear of harassment, told WFLA, “but my daughter’s wellbeing, right, and mental health is more important.”
The unidentified mother said the policy is not a new one from what she has read, but said she was unaware of the rule until now. She told the outlet that she has sent all of her children to Grace Christian, but would not send her youngest daughter back to the school for her junior year.
“She was scared she was gonna open her mouth and expose herself … but she’s not scared anymore,” the mother said.
