The Trump administration's withdrawal of some Obama-era transgender protections prompted swift and sharp rebukes from LGBT-rights groups and advocates on Wednesday night.
A directive given by President Barack Obama last year granted transgender students the choice to use public-school restrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identity. Without the directive, it will be up to states and school districts to decide whether to grant those protections to transgender students.
In his reasoning for the withdrawal, Attorney General Jeff Sessions suggested the Obama administration was not being clear about its intentions: "The prior guidance documents did not contain sufficient legal analysis or explain how the interpretation was consistent with the language of Title IX."
Title IX bans sex discrimination in education. But it remains unsettled whether Title IX protections extend to a person's gender identity.
LGBT-rights advocates argue that protections are necessary to shield trans students from discrimination. The Human Rights Campaign found that 51% of LGBTQ youth had been verbally harassed at their school.
Here's how critics responded to the Trump administration's actions:
Sen. Kamala Harris of California:
"Revoking federal protections for transgender students is an appalling decision that targets kids because of who they are. Shameful."
LGBT Caucus:
"SHAME! Donald Trump has decided the biggest problem facing America was that transgender kids have civil rights?"
Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin:
"Donald Trump abandons transgender students w/hateful action. We will fight for equality and protect trans kids."
Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota:
"I vow to fight back against Trump admin's callous decision to scrap guidelines that protect transgender students."
Rep. Barbara Lee of California:
"Title IX protects transgender students from abuse and discrimination. Trump Admin's action tonight is blatantly wrong."
Ellen DeGeneres:
"Just seeing the news about removing laws protecting trans people. This isn’t about politics. It’s about human rights, and it’s not okay."
Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson:
"As AG, I will ensure state laws protecting transgender and gender non-conforming students are enforced fairly and vigorously.”
Rep. Adam Schiff of California:
"Trans rights are human rights. With all the progress we've made, suicides among LGBT youth have declined. This is no time to reverse course."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer:
"This decision by the Trump administration to roll back protections for transgender students is just plain wrong and cuts directly across the American drive and yearning for equality."
Laws centered on transgender rights have sparked controversy in states nationwide. North Carolina took a financial hit of nearly $400 million after businesses and organizations took a stand against its law that prevented local governments from protecting LGBT people with nondiscrimination ordinances.
Twelve other states have prefiled or filed similar bills as of this month, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Those states are Alabama, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.
Legislation aimed at requiring people to use restrooms that coordinate with their gender at birth failed in South Dakota and Virginia, the NCSL noted.
