“The Trump administration will revoke federal
guidelines telling public schools to let transgender students use bathrooms and
locker rooms matching their chosen identity, a government official said
Wednesday.”
This recent news article discusses that the Trump
administration will revoke the educational guidelines for public schools to
allow transgender students to enter bathrooms/locker rooms that align with
their gender identity. The article talks about how the Trump administration
believes that each state should determine the guidelines for public schools
within the state. It mentions that there will be no changes made in regards to
“anti-bullying safeguards.” The article talks about concerns from each side of
the argument.
Revoking these guidelines is concerning in many ways, and I would say this is a major setback for transgender rights. I can’t imagine how a student would feel if they were just recently able to start going to the bathroom/locker room that matched their gender identity, and now they may be told that they aren’t able to do it anymore. If students don’t have the ability to go the restroom where their identity aligns with, I’m not sure how a student will be able to feel comfortable and learn within the walls of the school to their fullest capacity. I’m disappointed with the possibility of revoking these rights. As a social worker within the school, I would want to do everything possible in advocating for the rights of transgender students. Students come to school to get an education, not to be discriminated against where they are allowed to go the restroom.
Kate,
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you just said. It's unfortunate that people believe they have a right to tell others what bathroom they use. Bathrooms in general are already unsafe spaces - this just makes it worse.
And you're right - students won't learn if they don't feel comfortable. I know some transgender individuals have so much anxiety over bathroom use that they never use public restrooms. I can imagine students will do the same. And I also have trouble imagining how able these students will be to learn if they have to spend all day uncomfortable and holding in their bladder.
It's frustrating to see things like this still happening in 2017, but as school social workers, it's our job to advocate for our students - and that's exactly what we will do.