Recently, the Obama administration issued a directive towards public schools that they should allow transgender students to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity, not necessarily their gender at birth. In Geneva High School, accommodating everyone is a main ideal and the school administrators are developing an overall policy to make sure that happens.

President Obama made a point by saying that, “I think that it is part of our obligation as a society to make sure that everybody is treated fairly, and our kids are all loved, and that they’re protected and that their dignity is affirmed.”   

Some states are not entirely supportive of the guidance, for example Texas.  The governor of Texas has spoken out saying that it is going against the principle of separation of powers and, along with some Republican lawmakers, say that it is an example of executive overreach.  For a state like Massachusetts, they are supportive and have had a similar rule in place for nearly 5 years.

Debi Jackson is a mother of a transgender daughter.  When speaking in an interview about the new directive for public school bathrooms, she shared a comment made by her daughter, who is 8 and home-schooled.  Her daughter said, “that’s life-changing, Mom. I could actually go to a real school.”  

The new guidance directly affects the lives of transgender students.

The directive mentions that if public schools do not follow the guidance,  they will withhold Title IX funding.  Title IX, the federal anti-discrimination law in education, states that “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”  

According to Assistant Principal Scott McPeak, Geneva High School has one unisex bathroom in the building to ensure that they meet the needs and rights of all individuals.  When the need for a new decision to be made regarding distinct students, members of all staff are called to weigh in.  There are still questions about transgender students’ access to locker rooms.