He, she, we: The Department of Education brings gender identity to the forefront

Stephanie Roque/Contributing Writer

 

As the LGBTQ community continues to grow across our nation, many questions surrounding gender identification of students in schools are popping up here and there.

A question that seems to resound through school hallways and faculty rooms is as follows: in reference to locker rooms and restroom use, which gender will individuals of the transgender community identify with? What problems, if any, can this potentially cause to the student population and/or school faculty? Can this affect school funding?

The U.S. Department of Education has answers for you. On May 13, 2016, USA Today’s Gregory Korte addressed the public regarding these same questions and what exactly the U.S. government is doing about it. The Department of Education informed public schools nationwide that students are allowed to use locker rooms and restrooms “consistent with their gender identity.” A big step forward in America’s continuous debate on gender identity and the LGBTQ community.

The Department of Education came to this conclusion based on the review of Title IX, the 1972 law that prohibits discrimination based on sex, as reported by USA Today.

Bathrooms and locker room use aren’t the only questions being asked. In reference to school events where sex-segregated activities would occur, USA Today reports that the U.S. Department of Education states that all transgender students must be permitted to participate in such school functions.

Furthermore, this principle, carried out by the Obama Administration, also falls into the category of extracurricular activities and sports. Korte reports that parallel to the Department of Education’s statement, transgender students may participate in such activities. However, if they are sex-segregated, the coach and school must understand that these students and their acceptance into that specific organization or sport cannot “rely on overly broad generalizations or stereotypes about the differences between transgender students and other students of the same sex.”

As of today, this policy is only in effect throughout public schools nationwide. This includes all institutions receiving federal funding such as public universities, trade schools, museums and libraries.

Sororities, fraternities, and private same-sex schools don’t have to abide by these new guidelines. Public schools are required to follow such guidelines due to it falling into Title IX, and how the Department of Education will be enforcing it, in the months to come.

Schools are encouraged to comply; failure to adhere to Title IX can and will result in the loss of funding for the institution. Jessica Torres, an F.I.U. senior studying Elementary Education, believes that when it comes to the classroom, discrimination of any kind shouldn’t occur.

“I feel that transgender students deserve the same respect and opportunity as every and any other student on school grounds. Any form of discrimination will not be tolerated in my classroom,” Jessica Torres, a senior studying Elementary education said to Student Media. “School is a place to learn: a place for opportunities, to explore and think creatively. Nothing should hold back any students especially gender identity discrimination.”

All and all, every individual is entitled to their own way and lifestyle of living. No one, not one person, has the right to tell a fellow individual of society how to live their life every day. This re-evaluation of Title IX is a step forward, not only to the LGBTQ community, but also for individual civil rights.

We are lucky enough to live in a country where we are free. That being said, no one should ever feel trapped in their own skin.

 

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The opinions presented within this page do not represent the views of FIU Student Media Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.

 

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