Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

Lakeview School District in Mercer County serves about 1200 students in a district with a population of 8,600 people.  Mercer County is in Northwestern Pennsylvania, about 60 miles to Erie and another 60 miles to Pittsburgh.

The district is comprised of Fairview Township, Jackson Center Borough, Jackson Township, Lake Township, Mill Creek Township, New Lebanon Borough, New Vernon Township, Sandy Lake Township, Sandy Lake Borough, Stoneboro Borough and Worth Township.

Lakeview is also a school district that has now adopted a gender identity inclusive bathroom and locker room policy, allowing students to use the restroom that is consistent with their gender identity, as part of their district-wide nondiscrimination policies.  Note that students who feel uncomfortable sharing a bathroom with a trans student can ask for access to a private bathroom near the guidance counseling office without question.

I appreciate that the kids who feel uncomfortable are the ones being redirected to a private bathroom rather than forcing trans and gender nonconforming students to use a special bathroom. It solves the problem with students (and parents) who oppose the policy and remains focused on the opportunity to grow & learn.

The School District next meets on May 21 at 7:30 PM. I will gather more information on how you can support folks on the ground in this district.

In the meantime, consider joining the Mercer County LGBTQ Facebook group.  You’ll find Lakeview on FB here.

And then read our #AMPLIFY posts from folks with ties to Mercer County, INCLUDING this specific school district.

More visibility creates more change.