the-newport-mesa-unified-school-district-curriculum-includes-the-male-genderbread-identity

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District Curriculum Includes the Male Genderbread Identity – Here’s What I Think

When I first heard that the Newport-Mesa Unified School District included the “Male Genderbread Identity” in its curriculum, I’ll admit—I was curious and a bit unsure. So I did what I always do when something stirs debate: I dug deeper. And what I found wasn’t something scandalous or extreme, but a teaching tool aimed at promoting understanding and compassion.

The Genderbread Person is a visual aid used in classrooms across the country to help students explore the difference between gender identity, gender expression, biological sex, and attraction. In this case, the focus was on the “male” identity—something that, to me, felt like a great way to guide open, honest conversations about what it means to identify as male in today’s world.

I know some parents feel uncertain about these topics being introduced in schools, especially to younger students. I get that. But as someone who believes that knowledge empowers, I also believe that these discussions, when age-appropriate and respectful, can be powerful. They teach kids not just about themselves—but how to be kinder to others.

Let’s be real: We live in a time where identity is complex. Social media, evolving language, and cultural shifts have made it harder than ever to navigate who we are. Tools like the Genderbread Person aren’t perfect, but they’re a start. They create space for dialogue—something I think we desperately need more of.

Whether you agree with the district or not, I believe we should at least be willing to listen, learn, and talk. Our kids are growing up in a world that’s constantly changing. As adults, I think it’s on us to help them do that with empathy and understanding—not silence and fear.