The Biden administration continues to be rocked by revelations that Sam Brinton, a high-level federal government official facing multiple theft charges, also played a key role in crafting a questionable policy used by schools in several states.
Some argue the policy is inappropriate and has the tone of being secretive and anti-parent.
The policy instructs school teachers and administrators regarding how to keep “unaffirming” parents unaware of gender identity or sexual orientation-related policies and instructional aims.
Brinton made headlines in 2021 for being one of the U.S. government’s first nonbinary official. He made headlines again this fall for a reported theft of luggage from an airport. That report was followed by a subsequent theft report, which led to the Office of Nuclear Energy dismissing the executive-level employee.
Before being enlisted by the Biden administration, Brinton held a leadership position with The Trevor Project, an LGBTQ youth suicide prevention nonprofit.
In 2019, while working for The Trevor Project, Brinton assisted in developing a “Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention.” The policy was crafted in conjunction with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the American School Counselor Association and the National Association of School Psychologists.
Brinton lauded the policy in a Sept. 9, 2019, press release, arguing it is “imperative” for school suicide prevention policies to be “LGBTQ competent.”
Brinton added: “In addition, our research shows that more than half of LGBTQ youth are not out to a single adult in school; these policies show LGBTQ youth, out or not, that their school is a safe place for them to learn, and that school staff are prepared to help them in times of crisis.”
In recent years, the policy was refined for implementation at local and state levels across the country. The policy imposes “severe restrictions on what school officials can communicate with a parent or guardian if a suicidal student identifies as LGBTQ,” according to a report by Fox News.
An excerpt from the policy reads:
“While parents and guardians need to be informed and actively involved in decisions regarding the student’s welfare, the school mental health professional should ensure that the parents’ actions are in the best interest of the student (e.g., when a student is LGBTQ and living in an unaffirming household)
“Recent research shows that LGBTQ youth who are rejected by their parents are at a much higher risk of depression, suicide, illegal drug use, and unprotected sexual practices…
“Conversely, acceptance, and support by family results in higher levels of self-esteem, lower levels of suicidal ideation and self-harm incidents, and better overall physical health.”
Impinging on parent’s rights, a sub-section in the policy titled “Special Considerations” reads:
“When a parent is notified of perceived suicide risk or an attempt, it is essential that the school maintain student confidentiality related to personal information such as sexual orientation or gender identity, especially when the student has not already disclosed to the parent or guardian and does not want it shared. Information shared should be restricted to the perceived risk of suicide or facts of the attempt.”
Arguing that keeping information from parents is in the best interest of the child entrusted to the care of school staff, the policy reads:
“Disclosing a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity without their explicit consent can in some cases endanger the student and at a minimum will impair the rapport developed with the professional…
“Through discussion with the student, the principal or school-employed mental health professional will assess whether there is further risk of harm due to parent or guardian notification.,,
If the principal, designee, or mental health professional believes, in their professional capacity, that contacting the parent or guardian would endanger the health or well-being of the student, they may delay such contact as appropriate…
“Consultation with another mental health professional is recommended before taking such inaction. If contact is delayed, the reasons for the delay should be documented. Legally, the parent should not be contacted and Child Protection Services should be notified if abuse or neglect is suspected…
“…In the case of parents who have exhibited rejecting behaviors, great sensitivity needs to be taken in what information is communicated with parents. Additionally, when referring students to out-of-school resources, it is important to connect LGBTQ students with LGBTQ-affirming local health and mental health service providers.”
Fox News Digital reported that some of the states that have adopted the policy, in whole or in part, are Arizona, Idaho, Virginia, California, New Hampshire, and Oregon.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Nicki Neily, founder and president of Parents Defending Education, argued:
“Parents love their children and want the best for them; we desperately want to be involved in their lives so that we can help our family members thrive, both personally and academically. It is unconscionable that a document created by associations, which parents trust — such as the school counselors and school psychologists — would imply otherwise.”
“This is a deliberate attempt to undermine familial relationships, which are very difficult to rebuild once damaged,” she added.
Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) has called on the DOE to launch an internal investigation into its security clearance process.
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