Today, trans* students got some terrific news about protections at school. Here’s an excerpt from the NCTE news release:
MILESTONE: US Dept. of Education. Announces Title IX Protects Transgender Students
April 29, 2014
NCTE welcomes guidance issued today by the U.S. Department of Education which makes clear that the federal Title IX law prohibits discrimination against transgender students. The guidance, from the Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), states: “Title IX’s sex discrimination prohibition extends to claims of discrimination based on gender identity or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity and OCR accepts such complaints for investigation.”
“This announcement is a breakthrough for transgender students, who too often face hostility at school and refusal by school officials to accept them for who they truly are,” said NCTE Policy Director Harper Jean Tobin. “It is now clearer than ever that schools nationwide are responsible for ensuring that transgender students are respected and safe, and students can seek protection from the Department of Education and the courts if schools fail to do so.”
For the whole story, read this.
While this is particularly crucial for trans* youth, it is good news for many kids who deal with harassment based on not conforming to stereotypical notions of femininity or masculinity. Lots of gifted kids, trans* or not, tend to be somewhat androgynous, and they deal with abuse at school as a result. Now, these students will have the full force of Title IX on their sides.
IMO, it’s about time more attention got focused on the needs of trans* kids. Today’s announcement is an important step in the right direction.
What do you think?