HARTFORD -- Gov. Dan Malloy signed an executive order protecting transgender students in Connecticut schools Thursday.
Malloy and State Department of Education Commissioner Dianna R. Wentzell sent a memo to public school superintendents, outlining Connecticut’s anti-discrimination laws and explaining the Department of Education will soon be issuing more formal guidance pertaining to these protections afforded to students and staff members but until then, superintendents are being referred to the May 2016 federal guidelines.
It follows a statement earlier in the day, from President of Connecticut's State Colleges and Universities Mark Ojakian, praising Connecticut's history of implementing inclusive policies in the wake of President Trump's order on transgender bathroom laws.
“Discrimination, harassment, and bullying have no place in our classrooms or at our schools. Despite the actions taken by the federal government yesterday, the State of Connecticut remains committed to ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality education in a safe, supportive and welcoming school environment,” Governor Malloy said in a statement.
Samantha Kneeland, who came out as transgender two years ago, feels strongly about the administration's decision. "While this recent repeal of protections is certainly very intimidating, I don’t think anything's going to change the fact that our community has always been strong," Kneeland said. "Whatever you’re afraid of happening to you there will always be a vast network of people, there are people that will protect you, even if your federal government won’t, even if your neighbor won't, there will always be a network of people."
Robert Rader, Executive Director of Connecticut Association of Boards of Education said having a transgender son, this hits close to home. He feels President Trump's decision is a step in the wrong direction.
"I believe that people who have worked with transgender individuals know they are just like any other people but perhaps they need a little extra help because they’ve gone through very difficult things," Rader said. "I’m very proud to be in Connecticut, I think that we have started on the road to show the rest of the country where they should be on these kind of issues."
Rader said Connecticut students will not be impacted by the Trump Administration's decision.
Wednesday, The Trump administration lifted federal guidelines that said transgender students should be allowed to use public school bathrooms and locker rooms matching their chosen gender identity.
The decision is a reversal of an Obama-era directive issued in May. It will now be up to states and school districts to interpret whether federal sex discrimination law applies to gender identity.
CSCU President Mark E. Ojakian released the following statement Thursday:
Dear Presidents:
Yesterday, the White House rescinded the Obama-era guideline that Title IX protections apply to transgender students attending schools receiving federal funding. Whether or not a student’s gender identity is protected in our schools will now be determined state by state.
Fortunately, we live in a state with a history of implementing inclusive policies and one that is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all students and their families. In 2011, our Connecticut General Assembly with the support of Governor Malloy passed a comprehensive transgender rights bill. Our transgender students will continue to have their fundamental civil rights protected here in Connecticut, regardless of what Washington says.
Our focus is on developing successful, engaged citizens and to do that we must provide a learning environment that welcomes and encourages personal growth for all students. Having a diverse community enriches our schools, aligns with our history and enhances the vitality of our state, and transgendered students must be a part of that community. We will continue to make sure that all of our students feel valued, visible, protected, and empowered to pursue their education.
I'm asking that you join me in continuing to support our transgendered students across all our campuses.
Sincerely,
Mark E. Ojakian
CSCU President