UPDATE 03/13/17: More than 28,000 people have joined with Janet Mock, the Ally Coalition and Care2 in sending postcards to Education Secretary Betsy Devos urging her to protect transgender students from discrimination.
Bestselling author Janet Mock and nonprofit The Ally Coalition have partnered with Care2 to create #DearBetsyDevos, a campaign that enables signers to send postcards to Secretary of Education Betsy Devos demanding she protect trans students and provide a school environment in which they are not targeted in accordance with Title IX protections. The petition has been signed by more than 5,000 people since launching less than 24 hours ago.
The campaign is a response to a February 22 decision by the Trump administration to rescind previous federal guidelines protecting trans students in public schools.
78% of trans and gender nonconforming students experience harassment at school and are disproportionately vulnerable to violence, harassment and suicide, with nearly half of trans youth having considered suicide.
“It is Secretary DeVos’s duty to create an environment where every student can learn in an assuring and welcoming environment,” said Janet Mock. “By rescinding the guidance that aimed to protect and respect trans students, Secretary DeVos is inflicting grave harm on young people across our country by telling them that they do not belong. When our leaders fail us and our children, it is our job to have their backs and ensure they are protected, supported and affirmed.”
Co-Founder of The Ally Coalition, Jack Antonoff said, “My sister, Rachel and I have admired Janet Mock for a long time, and are honored to build this campaign with her. When we started The Ally Coalition, this is exactly the kind of project we were looking to be a part of. Trans students deserve so much better, if the administration won’t act – then we all need to speak out.”
“Transgender students are not second class citizens, nor should they be treated as such. As a transgender woman, I have looked up to Janet Mock my entire adult life and could not be more honored to work with such a courageous and outspoken trailblazer for the trans community,” added Sarah Rose, Care2’s LGBTQ Issues Advocate.
The postcards remind Secretary DeVos that it is her duty to protect all students and asks her to uphold Title IX protections by giving trans students the safe spaces they deserve.
