Changes

The Obama Administration issued a guidance letter taking the position that Title IX protected the rights of transgender students.  In particular, grade schools receiving federal aid should allow students to use bathroom and locker facilities of their current gender rather than the gender indicated on their birth certificates.  In response, North Carolina passed a law taking the opposite view, and 13 states sued the federal government and won an injunction blocking enforcement of Title IX on this issue.<ref name=trans>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/trump-administration-rolls-back-protections-for-transgender-students/2017/02/22/550a83b4-f913-11e6-bf01-d47f8cf9b643_story.html|title=Trump administration rolls back protections for transgender students|date=February 22, 2017|accessdate=February 22, 2017|work=Washington Post}}</ref>

The Obama Administration issued a guidance letter taking the position that Title IX protected the rights of transgender students.  In particular, grade schools receiving federal aid should allow students to use bathroom and locker facilities of their current gender rather than the gender indicated on their birth certificates.  In response, North Carolina passed a law taking the opposite view, and 13 states sued the federal government and won an injunction blocking enforcement of Title IX on this issue.<ref name=trans>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/trump-administration-rolls-back-protections-for-transgender-students/2017/02/22/550a83b4-f913-11e6-bf01-d47f8cf9b643_story.html|title=Trump administration rolls back protections for transgender students|date=February 22, 2017|accessdate=February 22, 2017|work=Washington Post}}</ref>

Donald Trump campaigned on leaving the access to bathrooms issue up to state and local governments.  He also stated that "Caitlyn Jenner could use whichever bathroom she wanted to at Trump Tower."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/02/22/press-briefing-press-secretary-sean-spicer-2222017-14|title=Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sean Spicer, 2/22/2017, #14|date=February 22, 2017|accessdate=February 22, 2017}}</ref>  On February 22, 2017, federal Education and Justice Department official notified the Supreme Court that the administration is ordering the nation’s schools to disregard memos the Obama administration issued during the past two years regarding transgender student rights. The Trump Administration also sent a letter to all school systems receiving federal aid saying that the earlier directive needed to be withdrawn because it lacked extensive legal analysis, did not go through a public vetting process, sowed confusion and drew legal challenges.  However, the Title IX guidance regarding bullying and the need to provide a safe environment for all students, including transgender students remains in place.  Education Secretary Betsy Devos stated that the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights “remains committed to investigating all claims of discrimination, bullying and harassment against those who are most vulnerable in our schools,” and she noted that she considers “protecting all students, including LGBTQ students, not only a key priority for the Department, but for every school in America.”<ref name=trans/>

Donald Trump campaigned on leaving the access to bathrooms issue up to state and local governments.  He also stated that "Caitlyn Jenner could use whichever bathroom she wanted to at Trump Tower."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/02/22/press-briefing-press-secretary-sean-spicer-2222017-14|title=Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sean Spicer, 2/22/2017, #14|date=February 22, 2017|accessdate=February 22, 2017}}</ref>  On February 22, 2017, federal Education and Justice Department officials notified the Supreme Court that the administration is ordering the nation’s schools to disregard memos the Obama administration issued during the past two years regarding transgender student rights. The Trump Administration also sent a letter to all school systems receiving federal aid saying that the earlier directive needed to be withdrawn because it lacked extensive legal analysis, did not go through a public vetting process, sowed confusion and drew legal challenges.  However, the Title IX guidance regarding bullying and the need to provide a safe environment for all students, including transgender students remains in place.  Education Secretary Betsy Devos stated that the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights “remains committed to investigating all claims of discrimination, bullying and harassment against those who are most vulnerable in our schools,” and she noted that she considers “protecting all students, including LGBTQ students, not only a key priority for the Department, but for every school in America.”<ref name=trans/>

This withdrawal of the Obama Administration policy prompted a series of public protests.  The issue is expected to reach the Supreme Court soon in a case where a Virginia transgendered student sued under Title IX.<ref name=trans/>

This withdrawal of the Obama Administration policy prompted a series of public protests.  The issue is expected to reach the Supreme Court soon in a case where a Virginia transgendered student sued under Title IX.<ref name=trans/>