The Trump administration on Wednesday revoked federal guidelines which ordered that transgender students have the right to use public school restrooms that matched their gender identity. The administration lifted the federal guidelines on Wednesday that had been issued by the Obama administration back in May 2015.
It will now be up to states and school districts to interpret federal anti-discrimination law and determine whether students should have access to restrooms in accordance with their preferred gender identity or their biological sex.
Officials with the federal Education and Justice departments notified the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday that the administration is ordering the nation’s schools to disregard memos the Obama administration issued during the past two years regarding transgender student rights. The Obama memos said that prohibiting transgender students from using facilities that align with their gender identity violates federal anti-discrimination laws.
The two-page “dear colleague” letter from the Trump administration, said that the Obama directive needed to be withdrawn because it lacked extensive legal analysis, did not go through a public vetting process, sowed confusion and drew legal challenges.
The letter added that:
“Schools must ensure that all students, including LGBT students, are able to learn and thrive in a safe environment.” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement that his department “has a duty to enforce the law”.
Sessions wrote that the Department of Justice remains committed to the “proper interpretation” of the anti-discrimination law known as Title IX but said deference should be given to lawmakers and localities. He said:
“Congress, state legislatures, and local governments are in a position to adopt appropriate policies or laws addressing this issue,” Sessions said.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos agreed with the decision saying that is an issue:
“best solved at the state and local level. Schools, communities, and families can find and in many cases have found solutions that protect all students.”
Post a Comment