Rep. Elise Stefanik blasted a New York college’s “gender-expansive” insurance policies and warned federal funding could possibly be at stake as a result of they contradicted President Trump’s govt on transgender athletes in women sports activities.
The upstate Republican mentioned Saratoga Springs countered Trump’s directive and an order in opposition to “diversity, equity and inclusion” applications earlier this month when the board of training handed a decision pledging help for transgender college students to take part in sports activities “consistent with their gender identity.”
“The Saratoga Springs Board of Education is DEFYING President @realDonaldTrump ’s Executive Order by allowing biological males into girls’ sports and locker rooms,” Stefanik fumed Tuesday.
“This blatant rejection of President Trump’s executive order puts federal funding of our students in jeopardy. As the proud Representative for #NY21 and a mom, I will ALWAYS fight to protect our children and hold out-of-control school boards accountable.”
The decision, which handed April 1 in a 7-1 vote mentioned the college district would foster an surroundings the place transgender and “gender-expansive” children “can safely express their authentic selves without fear of discrimination or harassment.”
“We will ensure their right to use facilities and participate in activities and sports consistent with their gender identity,” it went on — including that the district will “respect chosen names and pronouns.”
The Saratoga Springs college board additionally mentioned it can follow its dedication for “equity, inclusivity, and diversity” and “will not comply with directives that violate civil rights protections.”
The New York State Training Division additionally blew off Trump’s ban on DEI applications, claiming nothing in federal or state regulation prohibits them.
Some mother and father have mentioned they’ll file a civil rights grievance with the US Division of Training, claiming the Saratoga Springs college district is violating Title IX that protects ladies in sports activities, by upholding a coverage that might permit a organic male who identifies as transgender to compete in opposition to them.
The varsity board is creating a possible funding disaster in addition to violating Title IX, Amanda Ellithorpe, a dad or mum of two women in elementary and center college within the district mentioned.
“This is about programs getting cut,” Ellithorpe mentioned.
Legal professional Common Letitia James has taken the stance {that a} ban on transgender athletes in sports activities violates the state’s civil rights regulation.
