On Wednesday, President Trump announced his reversal of the transgender bathroom guidance created during the Obama administration, which allowed transgendered people the right to use bathrooms matching their gender identity. Protests outside the White House followed the president's announcement, and many high-profile Americans and lawmakers have condemned the decision.
Trump announces states should decide on transgender rights
The Trump administration claims that the Obama-era transgender bathroom guidance caused legal confusion and controversy, which has led to lawsuits.
Therefore, they have decided to turn over decision-making on the issue to the states rather than the federal government. This decision does not affect other protective measures regarding bullying and harassment.
Transgender teen speaks out
Gavin Grimm, a transgender teen, spoke out at the protests in Washington yesterday, stating that his story is the same as "many young people around the nation." In 2015, Grimm sued the school board in Gloucester County, Virginia to secure his right to use the male bathroom at school, which matched his gender identity. His case will be heard by the Supreme Court next month.
Grimm talked about the difficulties he had accepting himself for who he is. But unlike other young people, Grimm mentioned the school board hindered his ability to enjoy the same rights as his peers.
On ABC News, the teen told reporters that he had faced numerous adversaries in rural Virginia, but he never imagined his government would also become one of them.
Other high-profile leaders and politicians express dismay over the rescindance
At the protest, Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, an organization which fights for the rights of the LGBTQ community, called President Trump a "bully." He went on to send a message to transgendered young people across the country, assuring them that they are valued, important and loved.
Both the Senate and House Minority Leaders, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-New York) and Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-California) expressed their opposition on Twitter, Pelosi adding the hashtag #ProtectTransKids. Republican Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida also spoke out against the decision on Wednesday. She said the unfortunate decision could lead to the hostile treatment of transgendered students.
In 2015, Ros-Lehtinen introduced the bi-partisan bill together with Representative Jared Polis (D-Colorado) which prohibited schools from "discriminating against students based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity." Ros-Lehtinen's son is transgender.
Other politicians sent out tweets against the decision, including many senators and representatives.
Celebrities raise the voice against the decision
Many celebrities, such as Ellen DeGeneres, Lance Bass, and Brie Larson, also spoke out against Trump's move to turn over transgender bathroom rights to the states. Singer Jackie Evancho, who sang the national anthem at Trump's inauguration in January, also tweeted in protest. The singer tweeted to President Trump's @realDonaldTrump account with the following statement: "u gave me the honor 2 sing at your inauguration. Pls give me & my sis 2 meet with u to talk #transgenderrghts."
