In the face of adults in positions of responsibility who were questioning the wisdom of recently adopted guidelines meant to assure the safety and well-being of transgender students in Anne Arundel County, MD, a student rose to speak.

Scott Howarth is a student at Anne Arundel High School and current president of the Chesapeake Regional Association of Student Councils.

Republican County Executive Steve Shuh had questioned whether the new Guidelines were infringing on the rights of students who might be uncomfortable sharing locker rooms or restrooms with transgender students.

County Council Chair Derek Fink, also a republican, had publicly worried that the guidelines were not fair to students who were not transgender.

Howarth said that those who were opposing the new directive were uniformed and motivated by fear.

We are offended that anyone could ever think that the contents of a child's 'underroos' constitutes a situation of concern or an appropriate topic of political discussion.

We cannot imagine a scenario where anyone, parents, students, or nonessential staff, should be informed about the private body parts of a minor.

It's sick.

Howarth also pushed back against statements that transgender students make other students uncomfortable, as well as implications that they may threaten other students.

Growth is painful, but not as painful as being a child with incongruent anatomy, and certainly not as painful as being victimized because an adult, who you trusted, told the parents of your whole class how you are secretly different, so they can avoid you.

--Howarth

We applaud the school system's bravery in the face of controversy and willingness to do the right thing, even if a minority insists that it is not the popular thing.