The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of The Prowler.

On March 6, the United States Supreme Court decided to put aside a case regarding bathroom usage by transgender individuals. The case, which was supposed to be heard on March 28, has been sent down to the lower court, according to NBC News.

Last May, former President Obama “instructed public schools that they must allow transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that align with a child’s chosen gender identity,” NBC News reported.

During the 2016 Republican Convention, then candidate Trump said that he would protect Americans that identify as LGBTQ. But on February 22, 2017, President Trump repealed protections for transgender students.

As explained by the New York Times, U.S. Education Secretary Betsy Devos did not initially support Trump’s shift. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who has opposed expanding LGBTQ rights in the past, tried to convince Devos to agree to remove the Obama-era guideline. However, “after getting nowhere, [Sessions] took his objections to the White House,” and Trump sided with him. Trump then told Devos to drop her opposition, and she did.  

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said that Trump “is a firm believer in states’ rights and that certain issues like this are not best dealt with on the federal level.” This statement means that, in the future, transgender students in some states may be able to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity, while students in other states will not.  

After this directive was issued on February 23, several hundred gay rights supporters protested this decision outside the White House, chanting, “No hate, no fear, trans students are welcome here” (New York Times).  

de Toledo High School educates its students to stand for all aspects of the community. One of the school’s Expected School-Wide Learning Results reads, “Students appreciate their obligation to participate in and strengthen all facets of community life.” de Toledo teaches us to accept all different kinds of people, of all races, religions and gender identities. Furthermore, morals that de Toledo follows, such as circles of friends and being an A+ human being, demand that people be understanding and accepting of each other regardless of their gender identity. Looking at our school’s values, I think that transgender students need to be allowed to use their bathrooms of choice in order for de Toledo to model a more accepting and equal community in our country.