April 2025 — National Office of PGN Communications
Sheathing is no about removing identity…
he Protective Gender Neutrality (PGN) Initiative has officially launched its first cohort of Sheathing pilot programs in five designated regional equity zones across the United States. The program aims to provide identity-neutral developmental support to infants and children aged 0–12, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of anticipatory policy frameworks designed to reduce early identity-based distress.
The Sheathing Protocol, developed under the guidance of PGN neurodevelopmental advisors and equity ethicists, offers families an opportunity to participate in a structured, non-invasive neutrality program. Each participating family will receive individualized support, access to PGN-aligned early learning materials, and regular evaluations by certified Identity Readiness Liaisons.
“Sheathing is not about removing identity,” said Dr. Lenora Mei, PGN’s Neurodevelopmental Research Advisor. “It’s about protecting the discovery process by reducing the noise of early imprinting. Children deserve the space to form who they are—on their timeline, not ours.”
Pilot districts were selected in partnership with local education boards, behavioral health departments, and family equity coalitions. Implementation teams will evaluate a range of indicators over a 12-month period, including emotional stability, social categorization response, and parental confidence scores.
Preliminary interest in the program has exceeded expectations, with more than 2,000 families enrolling within the first two weeks. PGN expects to expand the pilot to three additional regions by Q4 2025.
For more information about the Sheathing Protocol, or to inquire about partnership or enrollment opportunities, please visit our Initiatives page or contact the PGN Communications Office.