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Governor: New York will continue to protect transgender students

Trump’s move removing protections ‘misguided,’ says Cuomo

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Following President Donald Trump’s Feb. 22 announcement that the Education and Justice Departments will no longer mandate that public schools allow transgender students to use the bathroom corresponding with their gender identity, Gov. Andrew Cuomo shot back on Thursday with his own order for state officials.

Calling the Trump administration’s break from the Obama administration’s policy “misguided” and an attempt to “roll back the progress we have achieved toward equality,” Cuomo instructed the state Education Department to issue a directive to public schools ordering no change in policies toward transgender students.

“The recent change in federal policy does not alter the protections we afford to transgender students,” Cuomo said in a letter to Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. “There can be no confusion in this state. New York state schools must continue to enforce the law and protect transgender and gender non-conforming students.”

Cuomo referenced the 2010 LGBT student-focused Dignity for All Students Act, which his administration strengthened to “make it clear that, under federal and state laws, schools must ensure that a student’s gender identity or expression is not a basis for discrimination and intolerance.”

Recently confirmed U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said, in a statement, that the rescinding of the federal mandate would effectively have no immediate impact to students, and that the issue was best left up to the individual states.

“Schools, communities, and families can find — and in many cases have found – solutions that protect all students,” DeVos said. “I have dedicated my career to advocating for and fighting on behalf of students, and as Secretary of Education, I consider protecting all students, including LGBTQ students, not only a key priority for the department, but for every school in America.”

New York and Long Island LGBT organizations held press conferences and demonstrations this week condemning the administration’s move, and Gov. Cuomo offered his assurances to the state’s transgender community.

“In New York, whether you are gay, straight or transgender, Muslim, Jewish or Christian, rich or poor, black or white or brown, we respect all people,” he said. “And we will continue to enforce our laws and stand united against those who seek to drive us apart.”