Education Minnesota responds to Trump ruling on transgender students
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ST. PAUL, Minn. Feb. 23, 2017 – Education Minnesota President Denise Specht released the following statement Thursday in response to the decision by President Donald Trump to rescind protections for transgender students that allowed them to use bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity.
“Minnesota educators value and welcome all students and we strive to make sure every child feels safe in school, especially the most vulnerable, because students who feel secure learn more easily,” Specht said. “We will continue this work for LGBTQ and other students because we have a legal and moral obligation to do so. And we will oppose anyone who uses the president’s actions as an excuse to bully, harass or discriminate against the students we have dedicated our careers to serve. Now it’s time for school districts to step up for transgender students. As Governor Dayton said, this is a human rights issue.”
“Educators go to work in public schools every day because we believe every child has the potential to be great,” Specht said. “Every child, period. We don’t teach hate. We don’t tolerate bullying. We don’t exclude children because of their religion, race, immigration status, ZIP code, special needs, gender or sexual orientation. Our responsibility is the mission of public education. When anyone threatens that mission, the educators of Minnesota will resist, and we will persist.”
About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota is the voice for professional educators and students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.