Miami

South Florida Schools React to Goverment Directives on Transgender Bathroom Access

The Departments of Justice and Education sent a letter Friday to every public school district, instructing them to allow transgender students to use whatever restroom they feel comfortable using.

Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie said his district already follows the federal guidelines, with each school working to accommodate students whose parents have identified them as transgender.

"It's a milestone day for equity, justice, and tolerance," Runice said. "We will do everything to make sure that every student is safe, that every student's concern is addressed in the school."

Miami-Dade Public Schools said it has a long-standing, non-discrimination policy which includes gender identity: "To ensure that our schools continue to be safe havens of hope and opportunity while protecting the privacy rights of all of our students."

"You know, growing up, I was not allowed to use the girl's bathroom. Now I can, that is absolutely amazing," said Jazz Jennings, a transgender activist in South Florida.

The letter comes in the wake of the Justice Department suing North Carolina over a new state law that says transgender people must use public bathrooms, showers and changing rooms that correspond to the sex on their birth certificate.

The administration has said the law violates the Civil Rights Act.

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