Physical Privacy and Sexuality
Physical Privacy & Sexuality Policy
In order to preserve the function and integrity of CHEER as representatives of Jesus Christ and an encouraging homeschooling community, and to provide a biblical role model to the CHEER members and the community, it is imperative that all members of CHEER agree to and affirm the Statement on Human Life, Marriage, Gender & Sexuality (Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thess 5:22).
Based on the additional Statement on Human Life, Marriage, Gender & Sexuality, a person’s sex is defined as the biological condition of being male or female as determined at birth by the person’s genome, and a person’s gender is defined by their sex.
In accordance to the additional Statement on Human Life, Marriage, Gender & Sexuality and in recognition of personal physical privacy rights and the need to ensure individual safety and maintain Christian order, this policy is enacted to advise members of the CHEER community of their duties with regard to use of restrooms, locker rooms, showers, and any other CHEER facilities (or facilities used by CHEER) where individuals may be undressed in the presence of others.
Notwithstanding any other policy, CHEER restrooms, locker rooms, and showers designated for one sex shall only be used by members of that sex. The only exception to this policy will be children who need restroom assistance from their parents/guardians or a designated adult leader. In any other CHEER facilities or settings where members of the CHEER community may be undressed in the presence of others (e.g. changing costumes during school theatrical productions), CHEER shall ensure separate, private areas designated for use by members of the CHEER community based on their sex as defined by the Statement on Human Life, Marriage, Gender & Sexuality.
CHEER recognizes there may be instances where members of the CHEER community experience disparity between their sex and their feelings about their sex. This disparity can motivate them to behave in ways contrary to God’s Word and His plan for their lives. CHEER encourages members of our homeschooling community who are struggling with their sexual identity to seek help from their pastor and other trained professionals who might best assist them in clarifying and defining their sexual identity in accordance with God’s Word. We believe God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11) and every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of CHEER.
The CHEER Board, directors, coordinators and volunteers within CHEER will at all times interact with members of the CHEER community according to their sex. A member of the CHEER community who wishes to express a gender other than his or her sex is understood to be rejecting the truth and the image of God within that person. Biblical Christianity requires the body of Christ to compassionately dwell in the truth and assist those we love in doing the same (Eph. 4:15).
A member of the CHEER community who openly and unrepentantly rejects their sex, either in or out of school, is rejecting the image of God within that person—behavior that dishonors the Holy Trinity and the Word of God. Such behavior constitutes a person’s failure to adhere to their commitment to abide by the behavioral standards established by CHEER which may be cause for terminating the privilege of membership in the CHEER community.
To preserve the function and integrity of CHEER and to provide a biblical role model to members of the CHEER community and the community-at-large, it is imperative that all members of the CHEER community agree to and abide by this policy