Dear Families,
This afternoon the Trump administration rescinded guidance the Department of Justice had provided schools on recognizing and protecting transgender students. This further demonstrates their intention to roll back all of the pro-LGBT gains we have achieved over the years.
Together we have fought and won too many recent legal battles to turn back now. And fortunately we’re not alone: Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson issued a statement reiterating protection of trans students as a core value:
All students deserve a safe and supportive school environment. California will continue to work to provide that environment for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students regardless of any misguided directives by the federal government and the Trump administration.
If we remain informed and vigilant, this footnote in history will not deter us. Tomorrow our partners at the GSA Network and Transgender Law Center are bringing together trans youth leaders, community leaders, legal experts, and allies from across the country to discuss the effects of this rollback and what will be needed to ensure our safety as LGBTQ families.
Please join us to hear what’s next for trans student advocacy.
What: Virtual Town Hall on Transgender Student Rights
When: Thursday, February 23rd at 2:00PM Pacific
Webinar link: bit.ly/ShowUp4TransKids
And as always, when your time is limited but your resources are less so: please donate what you can to support the organizations that support our families. Everything we do together makes a difference.
In solidarity and strength,
Our Family Coalition
PS: The Dept of Justice can be reached at 202-514-2000 and the Dept of Education at 800-872-5327. Demand that Jeff Sessions and Betsy DeVos protect the rights of ALL students, including gender creative and transgender students, today!
