Trump Admin To Withhold $36 Million In Funding For NYC Schools Over Transgender Bathroom Policies
Adhering to city and state law, NYC schools allow students to use facilities that align with their gender entity.
Featured Image: via Getty Images, credit J. David Ake
In response to missing a Trump Administration deadline to overhaul policies around transgender students, New York City specialty magnet schools face cancellation of $36 million of funding over the next three years, starting October 1.
The federal Department of Education had demanded that city schools restrict transgender students from using facilities that align with their gender identity. New York’s current city and state laws make it illegal to discriminate against someone over gender identity, including denying them access to restrooms and locker facilities.
“Cutting this funding — which invests in specialized curricula, afterschool education, and summer learning — harms not only the approximately 8,500 students this program currently benefits, but all of our students from underserved communities,” NYC schools said in a statement, per AP. “If the federal government pulls this funding, that means canceled courses and shrinking enrichment. That’s a consequence our city can’t afford and our students don’t deserve.”
“If these entities are willing to risk federal funding to continue their illegal activity, that decision falls squarely on them,” U.S. Department of Education spokesperson Julie Hartman said.
Related: SCOTUS Says South Carolina Trans Student Can Use Boys’ Bathroom During Legal Challenge
Ten days ago, at an unrelated press conference, New York City Mayor Eric Adams – who on Sunday, ended his reelection bid – said he intended to look into whether he has authority to change Department of Education (DOE) policy, which allows students to use facilities that align with their gender identity.
“Boys and girls should not be in the same restrooms at the same time. And I think the average parent, particularly if their child is a girl, would agree with me… And I’m going to look at exactly what the policy is. And if it’s allowing them to be in the same restroom at the same time, I’m going to use whatever power I have to stop that.”
Zohran Mamdani, NYC mayoral candidate front-runner, said it was “awful and dangerous to hear the Mayor echo the transphobic bigotry coming from the Trump administration.” Mamdani called Adams’ remarks “completely at odds with the values of our city.”
Chicago and DC area school districts are also slated to lose millions in funding over bathroom policies.
