Pallone Denounces President Trump’s Revocation of Landmark Transgender Education Guidance

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) denounced the Trump Administration’s decision to reverse landmark U.S. Departments of Education and Justice joint guidance confirming that Title IX’s sex nondiscrimination provisions apply to transgender students. As part of the guidelines, the Obama administration instructed public schools to allow transgender students to use bathrooms and other school facilities that match their gender identity.

“President Obama showed extraordinary leadership in providing common sense guidelines to ensure equality and fairness for of all of our children,” said Pallone. “Public education is the cornerstone of our democracy and all children deserve the opportunity to go to school in a safe and inclusive environment. President Trump’s actions today once again show his willingness to attack those who are vulnerable in order to score political points with right wing ideologues. We have made tremendous progress in recent years fighting for LGBT rights, whether it be the Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage equality, the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell or President Obama’s guidelines for transgender students. We cannot allow President Trump to roll back these gains for equality and justice.”

In May, Congressman Pallone, voiced support for a new policy for transgender students proposed by the Highland Park Board of Education. The policy would allow transgender students to access any school bathroom, locker room, or school program based on their affirmed gender. It would also create a program to support transgender students, prohibit discrimination, protect transgender students' privacy, and train school employees in promoting an LGBT-affirming school environment. Pallone has strongly condemned discriminatory laws such as North Carolina’s HB2 and voted against last year’s National Defense Authorization Act, which would have undone President Obama’s landmark 2014 executive order banning federal contractors from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. President Obama’s executive order came after Congressman Pallone led a letter urging the President to include workplace protections for LGBT Americans employed by federal contractors.