OutServe-SLDN appalled at Trump Administration's withdrawal of guidance for transgender students

(WASHINGTON) February 22, 2017 – OutServe-SLDN issued the following statement in response to President Trump's Justice and Education Departments' action today, rescinding guidelines the Obama Administration implemented for transgender students. The statement may be attributed to OutServe-SLDN's Executive Director, Matt Thorn.

"Rescission of the Obama Administration's guidelines and protections for transgender students is an appalling and devastating action by the Departments of Justice and Education. This administration, and this President, has vowed to be an ally of the LGBTQ community; yet this action is a direct contradiction to that declaration. The removal of this guidance strikes at the heart of our nation – a nation which should proudly provide an education system that is free of discrimination, protects all our students, and provides a healthy and sustainable environment to learn.

This action also strikes in contradiction to First Lady Melania Trumps' mission to eradicate bullying and marginalization of our youth in this country. This rescission directly and emphatically opens the door for discrimination and bullying of already vulnerable students who need nurturing and protection.

The removal of this guidance particularly hurts our military families. Families that have dedicated their livelihood to protecting this great nation, and do not have a choice in their location of residence. Those families who wish to have the best educational environment for their transgender children now face a critical situation in which they have little, if any, latitude. Leaving this decision to the states creates a broken system that directly and adversely impacts all families, but especially our military families.  

OutServe-SLDN will provide any and all advocative and legal assistance possible, to any military and veteran families that experience discriminatory actions as a result of the rescission of these essential guidelines and protections. You may contact our legal department directly at 800-538-7418 or legal@outserve.org. We stand at the ready to serve you."

OutServe-SLDN (OS-SLDN) is the largest non-profit, legal services, advocacy and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. With more than fifty chapters and 60,000 subscribers around the world, OS-SLDN supports a professional network of LGBT military personnel and strives to create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. OS-SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.