A report from the New York Civil Liberties Union claims New York State schools are not compliant with anti-discrimination laws regarding transgender students.
Five years ago, New York passed the Dignity for All Students act. The New York Civil Liberties Union says this gave the state some of the most powerful laws on the books protecting transgender and gender non conforming students.
But now the NYCLU is reporting that the laws are not being enforced, and the students who are supposed to be protected are suffering harassment, threats, and even violence in schools across the state.
Michelle and her daughter Sara are among those included in the report. (Those aren't their real names.) Michelle says her complaints to the school district about Sara's bullying went undocumented, and unenforced.
"The isolation and harassment experiences have devastated her self esteem and self confidence. On more than one occasion she has told me, I wish I could go to bed and not wake up."
Michelle took Sara out of school, but says she wishes she didn't have to.
Lauren Frederico authored the NYCLU report. She says even well-meaning educators can mishandle situations of discrimination toward transgender students.
"Immediate guidance and training is needed to ensure all schools come into compliance with state and federal laws, and to ensure all school staff understand what it means to truly promote dignity for all students."
Frederico also called on schools to improve their data collection and reporting on issues regarding trangender and gender non compliant students.
The NYCLU says now that transgender issues are getting a lot of positive media attention, its time to make sure the Dignity for All Students Act is being fully enforced. in order to ensure the safety and health of all students regardless of their gender identity or expression.
