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# Readout of Deputy Secretary Marten’s Discussion with Transgender Youth and Their Parents in Honor of Transgender Day of Visibility

# Readout of Deputy Secretary Marten’s Discussion with Transgender Youth and Their Parents in Honor of Transgender Day of Visibility

March 31, 2023

**Contact:  **press@ed.gov

                                    -        
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten hosted a  roundtable on Thursday with transgender students who shared their experiences,  alongside their parents, all of whom are faith leaders advocating for their  children and for their communities at large. Five parents and four students,  participated in the event. Joining Deputy Secretary Marten from the Department  were Assistant Secretary for Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy  Development Roberto Rodriguez and Assistant Secretary for Office for Civil  Rights Catherine Lhamon.

At the top of the meeting, U.S. Secretary of Education  Miguel Cardona, through video remarks, stated plainly to the children, “We in  the Biden-Harris Administration see you and we support you.”

  In the meeting, the Deputy Secretary reaffirmed the  administration’s support for transgender students and their right to be free to  learn as themselves stating, “Feeling safe is a bottom line -- they need to  feel supported and seen.”

Assistant Secretary Lhamon followed up by telling the  students and their parents, “Federal law is in place to protect your rights.  That is the mission of our office [the Office for Civil Rights].”

When telling their stories, some students described  facing bullying, misgendering, forced outing, and hateful comments from peers,  teachers, and administrators. A few mentioned testifying and speaking against  discriminating laws in their states.

The parents in the room shared their experience as well,  all of them stating that they just want their children to live a life free from  the trauma of hatred and discrimination. Some mentioned filing complaints with  school officials, meeting with leaders, and contemplating moving out of the  country in order to make sure their children have a more quality experience in  and out of the classroom.

Both the students and their parents spoke directly to the  reason they need to speak on their experiences in public spaces. They want to  be supportive to their peers that may be experiencing the same situations but  have no one to turn to.

In response to what the students and their parents shared  Assistant Secretary Rodriguez stated, “We have your back and are so impressed  that you have your friends’ backs, testifying for them and supporting them.”
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