All up and down your Instagram feed you may have seen someone posting a "Protect Trans Kids" image. They are showing support for young transgender students who may be having their rights taken away after they were just given to them almost a year ago.
Last May, Obama issued a guidance which ordered public schools to allow transgender students to use bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity.
"There is no room in our schools for discrimination of any kind, including discrimination against transgender students on the basis of their sex," said Obama administration Attorney General Loretta Lynch.
This past Wednesday, President Trump revoked that guidance.
This announcement has pitted Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Attorney General Jeff Sessions against each other in this "bathroom debate."
At first, DeVos resisted signing off on the order and told President Trump that she was uncomfortable with it. DeVos supports the guidance because she believes that it is the “moral obligation” of every school in America to protect all students from discrimination, bullying and harassment. Especially, those who are most vulnerable.
Mr. Sessions, who opposed expanding gay, lesbian and transgender rights, pushed Ms. DeVos to come around. Then, when she did not, he took his objections to the White House because he could not go forward without her consent. Mr. Trump sided with his attorney general and told DeVos in a meeting in the Oval Office on Tuesday that he wanted her to drop her opposition. This put her in the position of either resigning or defying the president- she agreed to go along.
This announcement is essentially President Trump keeping a promise to social conservatives that he made on the campaign trail. They believe that it would allow sexual predators access to bathrooms and create an unsafe environment for children.
In conclusion, the phrase "protect trans kids" is prevalent now more than ever. Every child, regardless of their gender identity, should feel comfortable during school. It is not just about bathrooms. It is about making sure children feel safe, able to learn, and live like all other students.