FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 6, 2017
Contact: James Hallinan (505) 660-2216
Santa Fe, NM – New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas released a statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision not to hear the critical transgender rights case, Gloucester County School Board v. G.G. The Supreme Court’s decision is a consequence of the Trump Administration rescinding the civil rights guidance regarding transgender bathrooms that the Obama Administration had put in place.
“I am disappointed that the Supreme Court did not take the opportunity to set a nationwide precedent to protect transgender Americans – especially children – and their families, but as New Mexico’s chief law enforcement officer I will continue to fight to protect all of our children’s rights and dignity,” Attorney General Hector Balderas said. “Transgender children should feel safe and
protected in their schools just like any other children, it’s that simple.”
Attorney General Hector Balderas filed a brief with the United States Supreme Court last week in support of a transgender student – known as G.G. – who is suing the Gloucester County School Board for discrimination. Attorney General Balderas asked the United States Supreme Court to recognize protections for transgender students under federal education law. Protections based on gender identity already exist in New Mexico law under our state’s Human Rights Act. The brief argued that discrimination on the basis of gender identity causes real and significant harm to both transgender people and the states themselves.
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