DignityUSA Condemns Reversal of Protections for Transgender Students

February 24, 2017

by

DignityUSA

<p>February 23 2017. DignityUSA the organization of Catholics committed to justice and full equality for lesbian gay bisexual transgender queer and intersex people joins countless others in decrying the Trump DignityUSAstration's reversal of former President Obama's guidance to schools on allowing transgender students to use facilities that match the gender with which they identify.&nbsp;</p> <p>Allowing students to use the appropriate locker rooms bathrooms and other facilities was a way of protecting some of our most vulnerable young people said Marianne Duddy-Burke DignityUSA's Executive Director. These measures allowed students to continue their education knowing they had the authority of our federal government behind them. It afforded them dignity and an important measure of understanding. For this important instruction to have been reversed so early in this new DignityUSAistration leads us to question the inaugural promise that Mr. Trump will be a President for all people.</p> <p>Duddy-Burke continued It is our hope that schools particularly Catholic schools will do the right thing and ensure that transgender and gender non-conforming students have access to the facilities they need and are protected from bullying and harassment. However we know that the reversal of this federal instruction means that the experience of transgender students will be uneven and many will find it difficult to remain in school. This is a tragic and uneccessary step back in our nation's progress towards 'justice for all.' We pledge to continue working for the equality of people of all gender identities.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>