Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin issued the following statement after the Obama Administration released guidance to schools nationwide making it clear that gender identity is protected under Title IX and that students should be treated consistent with the gender they identify with.
"I want to thank President Obama for taking this step as schools around the country and in Vermont work to protect the civil rights of transgender students. No student should ever feel discriminated against while at school for any reason, not because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. This federal guidance clarifies federal law and is consistent with Vermont's non-discrimination law, which explicitly prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity in all public accommodations.
"As other states take steps that open the door to discrimination, I am proud to live in a state like Vermont that has such a long, proud history of protecting the civil rights of all who live here."