ALBANY, N.Y. Feb. 22, 2017 – New York State United Teachers today issued the following statement in reaction to the Trump administration’s plans to roll back guidance protecting transgender students from discrimination.
“Transgender students in New York and elsewhere should be able to learn and live freely, knowing they are protected by their federal government from discrimination and bullying. The State Education’s Department widely praised guidance for school districts released in 2015 was a much-needed road map and has been helpful in fostering civility and providing space for all students to thrive. Unfortunately, many states have lagged far behind. In planning to rescind federal guidance protecting transgender students, the new administration is saying to this group of students, ‘Protecting you against harassment and abuse is not one of our priorities.’ That is shameful and a call to action for all New York educators. Teachers and school-related professionals in New York’s public schools must – and will – continue to fight for all students, especially those transgender and LGBTQ students who want nothing more than a safe and supportive educational environment as they live their lives.”
New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.