NASP Affirms Support for Civil Rights Protections of Transgender People in Title IX

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Bethesda, MD—The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) is dismayed by recent media reports that the Trump Administration is considering a proposal to roll back civil rights for transgender people by redefining sex under Title IX as solely and irrevocably male or female at birth. Such a change would be detrimental to the 2 million individuals who identify as transgender or gender diverse in our nation.

NASP affirms our long-standing position on necessary policies and practices to support the safety and well-being of all students, including those who are transgender and gender diverse. We believe that the civil rights of transgender students are protected as part of U.S. public schools’ obligations under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. This includes respecting a person’s right to express gender identity, and the right to modify gender expression when necessary, and to have their gender identify affirmed and acknowledged. Our position is consistent with all major medical, mental health, and education organizations.

Furthermore, dozens of courts over the last two decades have affirmed the full rights and identities of transgender people, and NASP will continue to advocate for the equal rights of transgender youth. While the full legal ramifications of the reported proposed rule change are unclear at this time, the mere possibility puts transgender children and youth at risk. The threat of the loss of legal protections, increased incidents of verbal or physical attacks, and the psychological toll of being “invalidated” as person can all undermine the well-being, safety, and learning for some of our most vulnerable students.

NASP advocates for policies and practices that support a safe school environment for all students, and will continue to advocate for students who are transgender and others in the LGBTQI-2S community. “School psychologists are critical leaders in supporting the mental health and well-being of students, as well as protecting their civil rights,” states NASP President Lisa Kelly-Vance. “In addition to our professional expertise in service delivery, we have a vital advocacy role.”

NASP will continue to support school psychologists, other school leaders, and public officials in developing and implementing policies and practices that respect the rights of transgender and gender diverse students. Resources to help in this effort are available at www.nasponline.org/resources/transgender-youth.

For additional information contact NASP Director of Communications, Kathy Cowan at kcowan@naspweb.org or NASP Director of Policy and Advocacy, Kelly Vaillancourt Strobach at kvaillancourt@naspweb.org.

About NASP

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) is a professional association that represents more than 25,000 school psychologists. The world's largest organization of school psychologists, NASP works to advance effective practices to improve students' learning, behavior, and mental health. Our vision is that all children and youth thrive in school, at home, and throughout life.