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Trump administration reverses transgender toilet protection

Xinhua, February 23, 2017 Adjust font size:

The Trump administration on Wednesday scrapped a rule that allowed transgender students to choose which restroom to go to, taking a position on a debate that embroiled the United States since the Obama administration.

The Department of Education and the Department of Justice have decided to withdraw and rescind the guidance jointly issued in May that requires schools and universities to allow students to choose which toilet and locker room to use based on their gender identity, instead of their biological gender, said a joint letter from the two departments to the Supreme Court.

The Obama guidelines did not contain extensive legal analysis, nor did they undergo any formal public process, said the letter.

The letter also said that "schools must ensure that all students, including LGBT students, are able to learn and thrive in a safe environment."

The new policy is not expected to impact schools as the Obama guidelines never went into effect due to a block issued by courts.

U.S. media reported that Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos was initially against issuing the joint letter, but had to yield to President Donald Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Endi