U.S. Department of Education Affirms it is Illegal to Discriminate Against Transgender Students under Title IX

U.S. Department of Education Affirms it is Illegal to
Discriminate Against Transgender Students under Title IX

(ORLANDO, FL) - Today the U.S. Department of Education sent out a letter to the nation’s school districts affirming that it is illegal to discriminate against transgender students under Title IX.

Earlier this week, the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida filed a Title IX complaint to the U.S. Department of Education regarding the anti-transgender bathroom policy passed by the Marion County, FL, School Board.

In response to the historic news, Equality Florida Transgender Inclusion Director Gina Duncan said:

“Today’s announcement makes crystal clear that public schools are required to respect transgender students’ rights including the right to use the bathroom that matches the gender they live every day. The joint statement should be a wake up call to places like Marion County, Florida, and North Carolina that their recently passed policies clearly violate transgender students’ rights and the law.

This has been a historic week for the transgender community and especially transgender young people who face unthinkable levels of bullying, harassment, and violence. Today the federal government has said to transgender young people, we see you, we support you, and we will defend you against anyone who seeks to do you harm. You are not alone. As school boards across Florida work to ensure safe and welcoming learning environments for all of our students, these federal directives provide guidance and clarity so that all students are treated equally and consistent with their gender identity. No child should be subjected to bullying, harassment or discrimination in our schools for simply wanting to live an authentic life.”