For the safety of our transgender students – Fairfax, VA, March 1, 2017

On Wednesday, February 22, 2017, schools received a “Dear Colleague” letter jointly issued from the Department of Justice and the US Department of Education explaining a new interpretation of Title IX, which affects all public schools within the US that receive federal funding. Under the previous administration, Title IX’s protection from discrimination based on sex was interpreted to protect students based on their gender identity. However, that interpretation has now changed and the Education Department and the Department of Justice will allow states to decide to what extent this new interpretation will affect transgender students. This interpretation increases the fears that transgender students, and their families, have for their safety in an environment that now emboldens further bullying and threats.
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