Seat Up? Seat Down?

—Written by Rick Eymer

Students at California schools will be able to use the bathrooms, and join teams and clubs that best match their gender identity theSacramento Bee reported.

Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill Monday giving new rights for transgender youth. The legislation was introduced Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), who said the bill is a neededprotection for young people who often endure discrimination.

Opponents of the bill have said it will undermine parental choice and put school children into uncomfortable situations. Critics also questioned how the bill would affect the integrity of school athletic records.

”Transgender” is a general term used to describe people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.

Laws already exist in other states, including New York, where comprehensive legislation assures transgendered youth from being discriminated against. The website at the Silvia Rivera Law Project (http://srlp.org) has several resources available.

Most people do not receive training or support in transgender awareness throughout their education or professional careers. Transgender awareness trainings are effective when they are mandatory and regular.