Honorable Greg Abbott

ID: LSG-2016-TX-0028

Office of the Governor

P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711
Sent via: Mail
June 27th, 2016
Re: The federal governments directives as to transgender students
Honorable Greg Abbott,
My name is Isaiah X. Smith and I am sending you this letter that is in regards to the federal governments
directives as to equal access for transgender students. As a college student and a supporter for the
rights of transgender students, I urge you to read this letter.
I.

General Information
On May 13th, 2016 the federal government of the United States of America issued a
directive to all public educational institutions and educational institutions that receive
federal financial assistance that they must strive to create and sustain an inclusive,
supportive, safe and a nondiscriminatory environment for transgender and transsexual
individuals.
The federal government of the United States of America has made is extremely clear
pursuant to the Dear Colleague Letter that Title IX of the Education amendments of 1972
and its implementing regulations prohibit sex discrimination in all educational programs and
activities operated by recipients of federal financial assistance. President Barack Obama and
his administration have stated that the directive forbids discrimination on the basis of a
person's gender identity, which includes discrimination on the basis on a person's
transgender status.
Despite the federal governments directive as to equal access for minorities in public
educational institutions, there several states of the United States of America who are
currently suing the federal government over this issue. Not only do I believe that their
lawsuit against the federal government is extremely asinine, but I also believe that it is an
absolute waste of the money from the taxpayers.

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II.

Equal access to restrooms and in other areas of public educational institutions and in
educational institutions that receive federal financial assistance apples to transgender and
transsexual individuals
I strongly believe that discrimination against transgendered individuals classifies as sex
discrimination under the law. See Glenn v. Brumby, 663 F.3d 1312, 1317 (11th Cir.
2011).Therefore it should be very clear that public educational institutions and that
educational institutions that receive federal financial assistance must treat all of their
students equal and must not discriminate against an individual on the basis of their lived
gender identity. See Hart v. Lew, 973 F. Supp. 2d 561, 581 (D. Md. 2013).
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against
individuals
It is to my understanding and knowledge that Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
and the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution of the United States of America prohibit
sex discrimination against all people, which includes transgender individuals. Pursuant to
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, [n]o person in the United States shall, on
the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be
subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal
financial assistance. 20 U.S.C. 1681(a); see also 34 C.F.R. 106.31(a); 28 C.F.R.
54.400(a).
Specifically Title IX prohibits discrimination and harassment "on the basis of sex" and forbids
students from being discriminated and harassed on the basis of their gender identity,
transgendered/transsexual status and even in regards to their nonconformity status. See
Doe v. Brimfield Grade Sch., 552 F. Supp. 2d 816, 823 (C.D. Ill. 2008); and Pratt v. Indian
River Cent. Sch. Dist., 803 F. Supp. 2d 135, 152 (N.D.N.Y. 2011).

III.

Conclusion
I am absolutely proud as to the federal government of the United States of America for all of
their support in helping to make sure that public educational institutions are in compliance
with the law. I am not proud as to the way in which the State of Texas has responded to the
Department of Educations directives on equal access for transgender students. As I have
stated in my June 14th, 2016 speech to the Fort Worth City Council, I am a proud supporter
of the rights of transgender students. 1
Southern states of the United States of America have a history as to being on the wrong side
of history. From supporting segregation in public educational institutions to supporting a
ban on same sex marriage, I am extremely thankful and I am extremely happy that the

th

Video link of my June 14 , 2016 Speech:

https://www.facebook.com/isaiahsmithcampaign/videos/vb.295717557168337/1116907695049315/?type=2&the
ater

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federal government of the United States of America is working on making sure that the law
is being upheld. Now it is very clear that all public educational institutions and all
educational institutions that receive federal assistance must be in compliance with the law.
I strongly urge you and the State of Texas to please reconsider the lawsuit that you have
filed against the United States of America and I urge you to please stand up for the rights of
transgender students. Transgender students are human and they have rights. Those rights
need to be enforced and protected. Not taken away.
Please also note that we are the United States of America. Not the separate independent
states of America.
IV.

Acknowledgement letter
An acknowledgement letter to my letter to you would be greatly appreciated. You can send
me a letter by email at: iscampaign@usa.com. You can also send me a letter to me at the
following mailing address:
Isaiah X. Smith
Isaiah Smith Campaign
P.O Box 163411
Fort Worth, Texas, 76161

Respectfully,
Isaiah X. Smith
Isaiah Smith Campaign
P.O Box 163411
Fort Worth, Texas, 76161
www.isaiahxsmith.com

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