A Trans Girl was Placed in a Girls Only Sex Ed Class in Tennessee

By John Huber

An interesting—and controversial—story out of Tennessee is stirring up the conversation around sex education, gender identity, and parental concerns. In one district, sex education is taught separately to boys and girls, as many of us probably remember from our own school days. But the situation became more complicated when a transgender student—who identifies as a girl—was placed in the girls’ class.

Parents were not happy. Lawsuits are being filed. And what seems on the surface like a scheduling decision has quickly become a lightning rod for larger cultural and legal battles.

Why This Matters

You might say this is just “one case” in Tennessee, but issues like this are not isolated. Even here in Maryland, while numbers may still be small, these questions are starting to show up in schools and communities. And when they do, they bring big challenges:

• For parents, who worry about how their children are being taught and with whom.

• For students, who may feel excluded, singled out, or unsupported no matter what the decision is.

• For schools, which often find themselves caught between competing demands, community expectations, and the law.

The Larger Question

This situation isn’t just about one student. It’s about how schools navigate identity, safety, and respect in an environment where there are no easy answers and no decisions that will satisfy everyone.

Do we treat placement in these classes strictly by biological sex? Do we honor gender identity, even if it upsets some families? Or is there another model altogether that districts should be exploring?

These are the tough questions that, as a society, we can’t ignore—even if they are uncomfortable.

A Maryland Perspective

Right now, this isn’t a widespread issue in Maryland. But given the national climate, it would be naive to think it won’t eventually become one. When it does, leaders need to be ready with clear policies, transparent communication, and a willingness to listen to all sides.

The Tennessee story is a reminder that these decisions aren’t just about curriculum—they’re about community trust. And when trust breaks down, schools face lawsuits, outrage, and fractured relationships that can take years to rebuild.

So while this may feel like a “Tennessee problem,” the truth is it’s a glimpse of what’s coming down the road for all of us.