Activists and protesters with the National Center for Transgender Equality rally in front of the White House on Wednesday Credit: AP
Yesterday, Victory Institute condemned the administration of Donald Trump for rescinding Department of Education and Department of Justice guidance protecting transgender students from discrimination in schools. In response, President & CEO Aisha C. Moodie-Mills released the following statement:
“In a shameful display of failed leadership, today President Trump succumbed to his extremist advisors and provided permission for schools to discriminate against transgender students. The move – while abhorrent – is unfortunately not surprising. Regardless of Trump claiming he would be a friend to LGBT people, the reality is personnel is policy. Trump is surrounding himself with anti-LGBT appointees who demonize our community and reject the notion of civil rights for LGBT people, making anti-LGBT policies almost inevitable.
While Trump, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos are blind to the needs of transgender students who want to safely attend school, fortunately the law is not. Most courts have determined Title IX protects transgender students, and now it is up to local leaders and school board members to enforce those protections regardless of anti-equality declarations from the White House.
LGBT local leaders and school board members are more important than ever – and will be the frontlines for defending the rights of trans students in classrooms and in their communities. But we need more of these leaders, which is why Victory Institute is doubling-down on efforts to build a diverse pipeline of LGBT future leaders who can fight for our youth and community. Now is the time for motivated LGBT leaders to run for office – for school boards, city councils and state legislatures – where policies affecting LGBT students are made. We need LGBT leaders to run for office and position themselves to make the change we must see.”
For more information on the Victory Institute and their commitment to increase the number of LGBTQ people in public office, visit victoryinstitute.org.
