Autumn Olson
Starting Friday May 13, the U.S department of education will start telling schools that the Federal Law allows all students to use any locker and restrooms no matter how a person identifies their gender identity.

“A letter to school districts will go out Friday, adding to a highly charged debate over transgender rights in the middle of the administration’s legal fight with North Carolina over the issue. The declaration — signed by Justice and Education department officials — will describe what schools should do to ensure that none of their students are discriminated against.”

Junior Seth Joseph Edwards, who also identifies as Stephanie-is a transgender student at Smoky Hill. Although this topic of allowing her to use a restroom without people telling her she can not, she still finds it hard to believe.

¨ It started when I was six, when I first realised myself, but I openly tip toed into opening out to my friends at first then my family. My friends and family are all accepting,” Stephanie said. ¨I use the gender neutral (same sex) bathrooms in school, there is one in the nurse’s office, one in the green deans, and one in the central hall near the math resource center.¨

Any school that does not follow this law could face the threat of lawsuits and or loss of federal aid.

¨Be yourself and do what is comfortable for you and do what is right,¨ Stephanie said.