Chilling Conclusion
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer says President Donald Trump believes the right of transgender students to use restrooms that correspond with their gender identity is a “states rights issue.” Asked about a report published by the Washington Blade that says the president has signed off on issuing new guidance to all public schools that effectively rescinds the Obama era guidance on protecting transgender students, Spicer acknowledged only that the Departments of Justice and Education are looking at doing so.
“The president has maintained for a long time that this is a states’ rights issue,” Spicer told Washington Blade Chief White House Correspondent Chris Johnson at Tuesday afternoon’s daily briefing,” and not one for the federal government.”
The Press Secretary also suggested they look to the president’s previous remarks on the issue to determine where he will land. Trump has been all over the map on the rights of transgender people, including which restroom they can use.
Spicer also said there would be further guidance coming from the Justice Dept. on the issue, including both an executive order and “the case that’s in front of the Supreme Court,” referring to Virginia’s Gavin Grimm.
The Obama guidelines are directed at protecting transgender students and helping schools create policies that will support transgender children and their civil rights.
UPDATE I: 2:35 PM EST –
ACLU attorney Chase Strangio:
Executive Director National Center for Transgender Equality:
Lambda Legal Director of Fair Courts Project:
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