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DignityUSA Condemns Reversal of Protections for Transgender Students

February 23, 2017. DignityUSA, the organization of Catholics committed to justice and full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people joins countless others in decrying the Trump adminstration's reversal of former President Obama's guidance to schools on allowing transgender students to use facilities that match the gender with which they identify. 

"Allowing students to use the appropriate locker rooms, bathrooms, and other facilities was a way of protecting some of our most vulnerable young people," said Marianne Duddy-Burke, DignityUSA's Executive Director. "These measures allowed students to continue their education, knowing they had the authority of our federal government behind them. It afforded them dignity and an important measure of understanding. For this important instruction to have been reversed so early in this new administration leads us to question the inaugural promise that Mr. Trump will be a President for all people."

Duddy-Burke continued, "It is our hope that schools, particularly Catholic schools, will do the right thing, and ensure that transgender and gender non-conforming students have access to the facilities they need, and are protected from bullying and harassment. However, we know that the reversal of this federal instruction means that the experience of transgender students will be uneven, and many will find it difficult to remain in school. This is a tragic and uneccessary step back in our nation's progress towards 'justice for all.' We pledge to continue working for the equality of people of all gender identities."