Trump nixes protections for transgender students
We all knew it was coming. Here at GPB, we said a month ago that in a blink of an eye, Trump can nix certain LGBTQ rights. Sadly, that day has finally here.
Donald Trump officially rescinded protective guidance for transgender students in U.S. Schools.
Make no mistake – he and his administration did this by choice.
This harmful action was taken against transgender students, despite the fact that they are on the receiving end of disproportionately high rates of bullying, harassment and discrimination. The previous guidance that was put into placed by the Obama administration afforded these young learners protections – and an oasis away from hate.
That's gone now.
Groups involved with LGBTQ rights are livid. And you know what? They should be. There was no reason to take away the guidance. There simply wasn’t.
Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign remarked on the matter, asking: “What could possibly motivate a blind and cruel attack on young children like this? ‘These transgender students simply want to go to school in the morning without fear of discrimination or harassment. The consequences of this decision will no doubt be heartbreaking.
Children deserve protection from bullying no matter what state they live in. Period. The policies included in the rescinded guidance have existed in cities, states, and school districts – from Minneapolis to Fort Worth – for years, seamlessly and successfully affirming and welcoming transgender students in thousands of classrooms throughout the country.”
The guidance that was in place until Trump revoked it provided clarity on the right of students to not be discriminated against, or harassed because of their gender identity.
"We all know that @realDonaldTrump is a bully, but his attack on transgender children is a new low." –@RachelBTiven #WeObject #LGBTQ pic.twitter.com/XaISfcfkY0
— Lambda Legal (@LambdaLegal) February 23, 2017
Here’s what Lambda Legal CEO Rachel B. Tiven said, “We all know that Donald Trump is a bully, but his attack on transgender children today is a new low. The U.S. Department of Education’s decision to withdraw guidance clarifying the rights of transgender students endangers the well-being and safety of children across the country.
Trump’s actions do not change the law itself — transgender students remain protected by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 — but abandoning the guidance intentionally creates confusion about what federal law requires. The law bars discrimination — the new administration invites it. Betsy DeVos became Education Secretary just one week ago.
At her brief confirmation hearing she publicly committed to protecting LGBT students — this harms them.”
So there you have it folks. Anyone in the LGBTQ community who thought Donald Trump “wouldn’t be bad for LGBTQ people” needs to rethink that position. Quickly.
You have all the proof you need.
