KGUN 9News

Actions

Transgender student responds to bathroom protection reversal

Posted at 6:20 PM, Feb 27, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-27 20:20:34-05
Some say it's a step backward for the transgender community after President Donald Trump lifted federal guidelines that allow transgender students to choose the bathroom and locker room with which they identify. 
 
The decision will now be left up to individual states, which reverses the guidelines under former President Obama. 
 
A sophomore student at City High School, Miles Kleve says the guidance protection gave him a sense of relief, but now he says the fear is back. 
 
"I think, it's ridiculous that people can't go into a certain bathroom because that's not what's in your pants."
 
Kleve was 14-years-old when he realized he identified as a male.
 
In May 2016, the Obama administration ruled to allow transgender students to use the bathroom and locker room with which they identify
 
Kleve says the transgender community felt less afraid. "we felt like, I can go in here, I can go where I feel I belong."
 
Kleve says he knows people who are scared. "A lot of people are frightened about what can happen .... what can happen if they go into that bathroom." 
 
City High School principal, Brett Goble says their policy doesn't change because of the reversal. 
 
"Students have the right to present themselves in a way that's consistent with their gender identity, and they also have the right to use whatever bathroom they choose that's consistent with their gender identity."
 
KGUN 9 reached out to a few several school districts in the Tucson area. They say while they don't have transgender bathroom/locker room policies these instances will fall into non-discrimination policies. 
 
Tucson Unified School District says: 
"The  district is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination based on disability, race, color, religion/religious beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or national origin."
 
Amphitheater Unified School District says they have been successful in handling these situations. 
"Individually on a case-by-case basis with the family, student, and school to come up with a solution. it is a collaborative process between the principal and family to determine an appropriate course of action which will protect the comfort, safety, and privacy of all students."
 
Sahuarita Unified School District says:
"The district has an established practice of providing reasonable accommodations specific to bathroom access for transgender/gender-expansive students. this practice involves a personalized supportive approach between the student, parent(s), and school administrative team. our goal is to meet reasonable accommodations for all students specific to their individual needs."
Gavin Grimm, a student from a Virginia School, was told to use the girl's bathroom which is his biological gender and not his gender identity.
 
The Supreme Court's decision could establish a precedent for or against the LGBTQ community.