Columbus school district changes gender identity policy

COLUMBUS, Ind. (AP) - A southern Indiana school district has decided to change its gender identity policy to allow students to use facilities designed for the sex with which they identify.

School board members voted unanimously Monday to approve the change to Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation's equal opportunity policies to include gender identity in a list of protected classes under sex.

The (Columbus) Republic (http://bit.ly/1YZzeEK) reports that nearly 100 parents and other residents spoke out against the change because they fear it will put female students at risk in restrooms and locker rooms. They're worried male students could choose to identify as females so they can enter the female restrooms and sexually harass female students.

Superintendent John Quick said some students have already been allowed to use their bathroom of choice and there haven't been any reports of harassment.

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Information from: The Republic, http://www.therepublic.com/