What One State Plans to Teach Kindergartners About Gender Identity

Washington state elementary students beginning in kindergarten will learn transgender theory.

The state's new education standards released in March are the center of controversy over its views of gender identity and sexual health. 

The glossary defines gender as "a social contruct based on emotional, behavorial, and cultural characteristics." Students are expected to define gender as an expression of each person's "inner sense" and not a concrete biological realtiy.

By the time a child is in kindergarten they should "understand that there are many ways to express gender." By the time the child is in fifth grade they are taught to "promote ways to show respect for all people."

But many are concerned that "showing respect" may conveniently exclude respect for biblical views of marriage that go directly against what the new curriculum teaches. 

The Daily Caller interviewed Nathan Olson, a communications manager for Washington's Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). 

Olson says the standards and new definitions of gender "are not used to impose belief systems."

"Standards help student become familiar with concepts that education experts feel are essential for all students to know," he said. 

But Olson's comments have not dispelled all concerns. Many parents remain in the dark about the new policy because OSPI has not issued a press release to parents. 

"Parents should be concerned about whether these standards are age-appropriate, as well as whether the manner in which these topics will be taught may undermine the values held by their family," the Family Policy Institute of Washington said in a statement.

The Family Policy Institute of Washington is doing its best to fight against the policy by keeping people informed.

"The biggest battle is making sure people are informed," Zach Freeman, communications director of the Family Policy Institute, said.

On top of reaching hundreds of thousands of people through social media and their website, the Family Policy Institute also started a petition that has reached more than 1,500 signatures.