LOS ANGELES, February 22, 2017— In response to the Trump administration’s rollback of Title IX protections for transgender students, Los Angeles LGBT Center Director of Public Policy & Community Building Dave Garcia issued the following statement:
“Tonight the Trump administration levied an attack on our community’s youth. By rescinding protection for transgender students, President Trump has proven that his campaign ‘promise’ to protect LGBT people is a lie.
“All students deserve the dignity of being free from harassment and discrimination, including use of the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identities. Refusing to protect our most vulnerable youth is deplorable and dangerous. Three out of four transgender youth report feeling unsafe at school. More than 40 percent have been physically abused at school; more than half report skipping school to avoid bullying. Toxic schools contribute to higher rates of suicide, depression, homelessness, and HIV infection for transgender youth.
“This is another clear signal of the Trump administration’s intent to rollback protections for LGBT people. This administration has shamefully started by targeting the most vulnerable among us, including transgender youth and those seeking asylum from persecution for being LGBT. They insidiously use words like ‘safety,’ ‘privacy,’ and ‘choice’ to justify their actions when, in fact, they are working against the values Americans hold most dearly: freedom, equality, and justice.”
In January the Center launched 100 Days and Me, a community engagement campaign to protect the health, freedom, and well-being of LGBT people. Visitors to 100DaysAndMe.org will find information about federal legislative and policy threats to LGBT people during the first 100 days of the Trump Administration. They can also register to receive updates and take advantage of resources and tools to respond to actions that would harm LGBT people.
For more information, visit 100DaysAndMe.org.
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