By Mary Meaux

mary.meaux@panews.com

 

Local school districts and the LGBT community are responding to the Obama administration’s directive aimed at protecting the civil rights of transgender students.

Public schools must now permit transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms in tune with the gender in which they identify or face losing federal funding.

But not all school districts are pleased with this issue. Port Neches-Groves Independent School District Superintendent Rodney Cavness did not mince words regarding President Obama, saying that Obama is destroying the very fiber of the country, is not a leader and is a failure.

“I’m not apologetic about that,” Cavness said of this comment made to a local TV media outlet. “I’ll fight the issue until I can’t fight any more. I’ve got approximately 2,500 little girls and ladies in my school district and that’s 2,500 sets of parents who expect me to protect them and I will. Boys have no business in the girls restrooms and girls have no business in the boys restrooms.”

Cavness believes the “left” want to make the issue about hatred and bigotry. He said it’s not about hatred and the students of his district get along beautifully. In turn he said he would not let a transgender student get bullied or mistreated.

“These are issues we can handle practically and efficiently and go on with school,” he said. Ninety-nine percent of our parents and kids have not been around this and to force this down our throat, it’s not going to work.”

Since Cavness made his first statement to TV media Thursday night his office phone has been ringing constantly.

“We have received hundreds and hundreds of calls from people in support of this and a couple of people have called and cussed out the ladies in my office. If they want to do that, they can call me,” he said, adding the district has also received emails and texts in agreement with the decision.

The issue of losing federal funding for not abiding by the directive doesn’t put fear into the superintendent.

“They’re making a big issue out of this. I’m going to do what I know is right and let the chips fall as they may. We’re going to treat all our kids with love and we’re not going to go against what 99 percent of our parents want to do.”

On Friday, the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education released joint guidance to give educators the info they need to ensure all students, including transgender students can attend school in an environment free from discrimination based on sex, according to a press release from the DOY.

Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, schools receiving money may not discriminate based on a student’s sex, including a student’s transgender status.

Other local school districts have issued statements that they will abide by the directive.

In Port Arthur ISD, Superintendent Mark Porterie said the district would comply with all state and federal laws.

“Port Arthur ISD strives to serve all students in a safe and orderly manner. The district respects the authority of the president and his administration and will serve its students on an individual basis as required,” Porterie said.

Once the district receives the appropriate notification from the government Porterie and trustees will then decide how best to proceed, he added.

Nederland ISD has a similar view. Superintendent Robin Perez said the district will continue to fully comply, as it has always done with all applicable provisions of Title IX and all state and federal law.

“Our district values each and every one of our students and it will continue to be our first priority to make appropriate accommodations for all students so they will feel safe and welcome at school and during school activities,” Perez said.

Bridge City ISD also issued a statement that tackled the issue in specifics.

“Male students will use male restrooms; female students will use female restrooms. When there is a transgender student question campus administrators will require the parent or guardian to notify the school in writing that their child is transgender. Provisions will then be made for transgender students to use an identified private restroom on campus as an option so that all students’ rights are observed,” according to the statement.

For the LGBT community, the directive is a positive.

Jacqueline Hays, vice president of the Beaumont Chapter PFLAG, formerly known as Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, said the group fully supports the Obama administration’s directive.

“It merely clarifies that transgender students are protected by title IX. These works just explain to administrators that they are required to use a transgender student’s gender as their sex and follow policies already in place.

“PFLAG Beaumont has a few board members and many members who are trans and we take strides to educate and advocate for all LBGTQ people and their friends, family and even coworkers,” Hays said in a statement to the Port Arthur News.

Hays does not agree with Cavness’ comments that the “left” is making the issue about hate and bigotry, saying this statement is exclusionary in and of itself.

“The statement alone shows that Cavness is not informed of all the needs of the students in the district,” Hays said. “Trans youth are more likely to be bullied and assaulted and less likely to report the incidents because the system does not openly protect them.”

She also is in opposition of Cavness’ comments that boys should use the boys restrooms and girls use the girls restrooms as well as the idea of a trans student using a teacher’s restroom.

“The separate but equal style solution or asking trans students to use a teacher’s restroom only further marginalizes the trans individuals,” she said. “This type of rejection increases the risk of self-harm and suicide.”

Under Title IX, gender identity is sex, she added, saying transboys should be allowed to use the boys room and transgirls be able to use the girls restroom.

PFLAG Beaumont is a non-profit organization that strives to educate, advocate and increase inclusiveness and visibility of the LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual) community and allies, including family, friends and even school administrators, she said.

“For those trans people, please know PFLAG Beaumont is here for you,” she added.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch, in a statement accompanying the directive, said there is not room in our schools for discrimination of any kind including discrimination against transgender students on the basis of their sex.

Earlier this week the Justice Department sued North Carolina over a bathroom access law they said violates the rights of transgender people.