“This isn’t about politics. It’s about human rights, and it’s not okay” – Ellen DeGeneres.
Let’s think back to 2014 and remember the moment when Obama signed an Executive Order, subsequently allowing transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity. This step, commended as a victory for transgender rights, was taken to prevent transgender students from facing bullying and discrimination. In addition, this decision recognized sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics of which people cannot be discriminated against in the workplace.
Last May, Obama also made a further decision to support transgender children by protecting them under the Title IX, a gender-equality Education Act preventing people in the USA from being discriminated against under any Federal financed program.
This appears to be an extremely successful move on Obama’s part, in the right direction, as nearly half of all States have sued as a result of this issue.
Despite the turmoil of the new government, it was all looking rather promising for the amendment which Obama had made, as Trump decided to preserve it. The New York Times even described a statement that he had released as using “stronger language than any Republican president has before in favour of equal legal protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people…” Trump’s decision, however, was not so popular with many of his conservative supporters who had hoped he would reject Obama’s socially-liberal work…
It appears that Trump’s followers’ prayers have been answered, as this amendment has since been revoked by Donald Trump’s government. In fact, last Wednesday, Trump’s administration sent all US schools a letter outlining the change, stating that Obama’s previous measure had caused confusion.
Many celebrities have criticized this decision on social media:
Furthermore, transgender activists are arguing that one’s right to gender identity is a matter of civil rights and this should be enforced at a national level.
So, what really is Trump’s annulment of this guidance demonstrating to trans children? Does it mean that the Department of Education is condoning bullying and discrimination towards some of the most vulnerable children?
Agreeing with Ellen DeGeneres’ tweet, it appears that Trump’s decision has gone way beyond politics; isn’t it time to consider and to protect our human rights?
Information obtained from:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39047883
Images obtained from: