Equality California: Rescinding of Federal Transgender Student Guidelines 'A Dangerous Message'

Los Angeles - February 22, 2017 - In response to an announcement expected from the Trump Adminstration that it plans to rescind Obama-era guidelines protecting the right of transgender students nationwide to use restrooms and other facilities corresponding to their gender identity, Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur issued the following statement:

"The guidelines in question protect the basic dignity and safety that transgender students not only deserve, but to which they are legally entitled. They were based on over a decade of case law and proven best practices from schools around the country. The nation's education leaders--including the leading associations of teachers, principals, pediatricians, and school counselors and psychologists--support treating all students equally and consistent with their gender identity. The Administration is sending a dangerous message to school administrators and to students themselves that the wellbeing and safety of transgender students is not worthy of protection.

However, it is important to remember that legal protections remain in place for transgender students. The Constitution still protects them, as does Title IX's prohibition on discrimination on the basis of sex. That means that schools that fail to protect the rights of transgender students still face liability in court.

In addition, LGBT students in California are still shielded by state anti-discrimination laws that are among the strongest in the nation. Equality California will continue to fight to ensure that federal nondiscrimination protections remain safe from attack and that the Constitution's protections are equally enforced for all students."

Equality California is the nation's largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization dedicated to creating a fair and just society. Our mission is to achieve and maintain full and lasting equality, acceptance and social justice for all people in our diverse LGBT communities, inside and outside of California. Our mission includes advancing the health and well-being of LGBT Californians through direct healthcare service advocacy and education. Through electoral, advocacy, education and mobilization programs, we strive to create a broad and diverse alliance of LGBT people, educators, government officials, communities of color and faith, labor, business, and social justice communities to achieve our goals. www.eqca.org