The Department of Defense has decided that all transgender students in Department of Defense Education Activity Schools will be allowed to use the restroom with which they identify.
The decision was made during a meeting Friday between the chief of staff of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) and Todd Weiler, assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs.
The two were meeting to decide if they should allow an 11-year-old transgender student to use the girls’ restroom at a Defense Department school in Germany or not.
“The transgender girl is allowed to use the restroom as of today” and the policy will apply to all transgender students in DoDEA, spokesman Frank O’Gara said in a Monday interview.
The child of a military member stationed in Germany has previously been barred from using the girls’ restroom at Ramstein Intermediate School by the district superintendent, Elizabeth Dunham, according to NBC.
The child’s mother, Jess, posted this on Facebook:
“Here is the BIG news everyone!! We fought! And we WON!!!!! Last night we heard back from the Secretary of Defense (yes I mean THE US Secretary of Defense) And because of our Fight now ALL TRANSGENDER KIDS in ALL department of Defense schools can now use the bathroom and Locker Room of their gender Identity!! Mic Drop!!!!!!”
11-year-old daughter, who goes by the name Blue, is a 5th grade student who came out as transgender over the summer.
On May 13, the Education and Justice departments issued joint guidance advising school districts to allow students who are transgender to use restroom facilities and other accommodations consistent with their gender identity.
The DoDEA procedure, before it was challenged by Blue, was to arrange for transgender students to use a gender-neutral restroom.
“We met with the chief of staff for DoDEA today he confirmed that yes indeed DoDEA will be implementing this at all 190 schools. They may take a week or two to fully implement (they would like some suggestions on how to best do that) but Blue will be using the girls bathroom on Monday!,” said Jess.
The U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) has more than 82,000 children attending 191 schools in 12 foreign countries, seven states, Guam and Puerto Rico.
© 2016 Bright Mountain Media, Inc.
All rights reserved. The content of this webpage may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written consent of Bright Mountain Media, Inc. which may be contacted at info@brightmountainmedia.com, ticker BMTM.
Two Camp Lejeune Marines on leave attacked by burglar fugitive
This Green Beret gave his life defending their motto, “De oppresso liber,” in true fashion