by Sumahid Chowdhury
President Donald Trump’s executive order transferred power from the Federal Government to the state level regarding transgender rights which now nullifies transgender rights on the national level.
The state government has the authority to choose how they approach their policies regarding transgender students in schools. Some states may hinder rights for transgender individuals while others may improve them which will prove a problem for anyone who is transgender in the states that do not support their rights.
Transgender students have had difficulties regarding the situation with restrooms. Some insist that they enter the restroom that corresponds with the sex they were born with as opposed to the one that they identify with. The problem with this is that most, if not all, transgender students will feel uncomfortable using a bathroom which does not correspond with their gender identity.
York Suburban Senior High School Principal Brian Ellis said, “The guidance of the Trump Administration will not directly affect the school right now, just as the guidance of the Obama Administration had limited affect. Our practices had been and continue to be based upon legal guidance and precedents set through the courts over the last number of years.” Our transgender students are provided the choice of whether or not to use the bathroom of their gender identify as they work with the counselors to identify the best choices for their own personal circumstances.
John Oliver, a comedian and TV personality who runs Last Week Tonight, did a segment regarding the transgender community and how the individuals in this community are affected every day. It sheds some light for those who are unaware of the problems transgender individuals have.
Transgender students and adults continue to face discrimination but as we continue moving as a nation, such problems will hopefully stay in the past.