Transgender Bathroom Rights
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The government says that transgender students should use the school bathroom they feel comfortable in.
Transgender people feel that they belong to the opposite gender. Their birth certificate may say they are a boy or a girl. But they see themselves as, or identify as, the opposite. They call that their gender identity.
Letter To Public Schools
The federal government sent a letter to public school districts Friday. Public school districts get federal money, so they need to follow federal rules.
The letter says schools must treat transgender students according to their gender identity. It does not matter what gender is listed in their records or documents.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch is the chief lawyer for the government. She said there is no room in schools to treat transgender students unfairly.
Government Lawsuit
The government has said it is a matter of civil rights. On Monday, the government sued North Carolina over a new state law. It says which bathroom people must use. In government buildings and schools, people must use public bathrooms of their gender when they were born, the law states. Someone born a girl cannot use the boys' restroom, even if that person identifies as a boy. The government says this is unfair. Lynch said it is like keeping black and white people separate or telling gay couples they cannot marry. Gay people want to marry people of their own gender.
The letter does not force the schools to follow any new laws. Officials say it is meant to hep school districts that receive money from the government. The law says that the schools must treat boys and girls fairly, said Education Secretary John B. King. He is the government's top education official.
King said that students should know they will be treated equally in school. They also must know they will be safe.
"Groundbreaking" Move
Schools now must treat transgender students according to the identity they choose. Schools must begin doing this as soon as a parent tells the district that the child's identity has changed. Students do not have to show a letter from a doctor or any paperwork. Schools must trust the student and parents. The letter also says that students must be allowed to use the bathrooms and locker rooms, even if it makes others uncomfortable.
The government distributed a 25-page document of questions and answers. They show ways schools can make transgender students comfortable in the classroom. They also give advice about protecting the privacy of all students.
The move was cheered by Human Rights Campaign (HRC). It is a gay, lesbian and transgender civil rights group. HRC called the guidelines "groundbreaking."
"Truly Significant Moment"
This is a truly significant moment not only for transgender young people but for all young people," said HRC President Chad Griffin. He said it sends "a message that every student deserves to be treated fairly."
All young people also deserve to be "supported by their teachers and schools," he said.
North Carolina Fights Back In Court
The government and North Carolina are both asking judges to decide about the state's bathroom law. The federal government wants the law to be thrown out. North Carolina wants to keep it.
Pat McCrory is the governor of North Carolina. He has argued that the bathroom law makes sense and protects people's privacy. He said that the federal government's arguments make no sense. He said the government is going too far. Some people worry that men may pretend to be transgender. Then they could sneak into women's restrooms.
Transgender people feel that they belong to the opposite gender. Their birth certificate may say they are a boy or a girl. But they see themselves as, or identify as, the opposite. They call that their gender identity.
Letter To Public Schools
The federal government sent a letter to public school districts Friday. Public school districts get federal money, so they need to follow federal rules.
The letter says schools must treat transgender students according to their gender identity. It does not matter what gender is listed in their records or documents.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch is the chief lawyer for the government. She said there is no room in schools to treat transgender students unfairly.
Government Lawsuit
The government has said it is a matter of civil rights. On Monday, the government sued North Carolina over a new state law. It says which bathroom people must use. In government buildings and schools, people must use public bathrooms of their gender when they were born, the law states. Someone born a girl cannot use the boys' restroom, even if that person identifies as a boy. The government says this is unfair. Lynch said it is like keeping black and white people separate or telling gay couples they cannot marry. Gay people want to marry people of their own gender.
The letter does not force the schools to follow any new laws. Officials say it is meant to hep school districts that receive money from the government. The law says that the schools must treat boys and girls fairly, said Education Secretary John B. King. He is the government's top education official.
King said that students should know they will be treated equally in school. They also must know they will be safe.
"Groundbreaking" Move
Schools now must treat transgender students according to the identity they choose. Schools must begin doing this as soon as a parent tells the district that the child's identity has changed. Students do not have to show a letter from a doctor or any paperwork. Schools must trust the student and parents. The letter also says that students must be allowed to use the bathrooms and locker rooms, even if it makes others uncomfortable.
The government distributed a 25-page document of questions and answers. They show ways schools can make transgender students comfortable in the classroom. They also give advice about protecting the privacy of all students.
The move was cheered by Human Rights Campaign (HRC). It is a gay, lesbian and transgender civil rights group. HRC called the guidelines "groundbreaking."
"Truly Significant Moment"
This is a truly significant moment not only for transgender young people but for all young people," said HRC President Chad Griffin. He said it sends "a message that every student deserves to be treated fairly."
All young people also deserve to be "supported by their teachers and schools," he said.
North Carolina Fights Back In Court
The government and North Carolina are both asking judges to decide about the state's bathroom law. The federal government wants the law to be thrown out. North Carolina wants to keep it.
Pat McCrory is the governor of North Carolina. He has argued that the bathroom law makes sense and protects people's privacy. He said that the federal government's arguments make no sense. He said the government is going too far. Some people worry that men may pretend to be transgender. Then they could sneak into women's restrooms.