Justice Department Reinforces Federal Nondiscrimination Obligations in Letter to State Officials Regarding Transgender Youth | OPA

The Justice Section declared now that it issued a letter to all condition lawyers normal reminding them of federal constitutional and statutory provisions that protect transgender youth from discrimination, like when these youth find gender-affirming care.

“The Office of Justice is dedicated to making sure that all small children are in a position to dwell free of charge from discrimination, abuse and harassment,” explained Assistant Lawyer General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Today’s letter reaffirms state and regional officials’ obligation to ensure that their laws and procedures do not undermine or harm the overall health and safety of youngsters, regardless of a child’s gender identity.”   

The letter advises states that legal guidelines and guidelines that reduce men and women from getting gender-affirming medical care may well infringe on federal constitutional protections under the Equivalent Safety Clause and Because of Course of action Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The letter also discusses federal statutes that impose nondiscrimination obligations, which include Area 1557 of the Very affordable Care Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Omnibus Crime Command and Safe and sound Streets Act of 1968, Portion 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the Us residents with Disabilities Act. 

The letter was issued on the Intercontinental Transgender Day of Visibility in recognition of the contributions and accomplishments of transgender and gender non-conforming people, as properly as their continued wrestle to live absolutely free from violence and discrimination.

A copy of today’s letter can be discovered listed here. More information and facts about the Civil Rights Division’s perform to uphold and secure the civil and constitutional legal rights of LGBTQI+ individuals is readily available on the net at https://www.justice.gov/crt/lgbtqi-performing-team. Complaints about discriminatory procedures may be claimed to the Civil Rights Division through its web reporting portal at https://civilrights.justice.gov.