Schools have become ground zero for clashes over transgender rights, and critics are denouncing academic institutions — and more recently, the Obama administration — for supporting transgender students in their right to use restrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity. This article responds to the seven most common claims made by critics and explains why these arguments are problematic.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
American Psychiatric Association (APA). (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
International Commission of Jurists. (2007, 2). Yogyakarta Principles: Principles on the application of international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity. www.yogyakartaprinciples.org
5.
KohliS. (2016, 414). This school is opening the first gender-neutral bathroom in Los Angeles Unified. Los Angeles Times. http://lat.ms/28VZ2is
6.
KosciwJ.G.GreytakE.A.PalmerN.A.BoesenM.J. (2014). The 2013 National School Climate Survey: The experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth in our nation’s schools. New York, NY: Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network.
7.
MazaC.LowndesC. (2016, 412). Here’s the truth about the anti-LGBT “bathroom predator” myth. Media Matters for America. http://mm4a.org/28P3yyV
8.
Office of the Attorney General. (2016, 59). Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch delivers remarks at press conference announcing complaint against the state of North Carolina to stop discrimination against transgender individuals. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice. http://1.usa.gov/28Q2uj8
9.
U.S. Departments of Education and Justice. (2016). Dear colleague letter on transgender students. Washington DC: Authors.
