In one of the most divisive actions to date the Trump administration yesterday reversed an Obama-era policy protecting the rights of transgender students, opening the door to discrimination and bullying against young transgender people.
Last May former President Barack Obama issued guidance to public schools that stated they should let transgender students use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity. According to the Obama administration, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance,” includes transgender people.
The Trump administration said that Obama’s guidance contains no legal basis for its interpretation that Title IX extends to protections of transgender people. According to the administration, the issue should be left up to the states to decide.
