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Defense Department Overrules Military School, Says Trans Girl Can Use Women's Bathroom

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter personally intervened in the matter.

One military wife and mom is celebrating the news that her trans daughter will finally be able to use the girls' restroom at her military base school, thanks to an official ruling from the United States Department of Defense.

Jess, who lives with her family at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany, said Defense Secretary Ashton Carter reached out to the family via email on Friday to let them know about the department's decision.

"Here is the big news everyone," Jess, who asked to withhold her last name for privacy, wrote on Facebook. "We fought! And we WON!!!!!"

"Last night we heard back from the Secretary of Defense (yes I mean the US Secretary of Defense) And because of our fight now all transgender kids in all Department of Defense schools can now use the bathroom and locker room of their gender Identity!! Mic Drop!!!!!!"

In total, the Department of Defense operates 191 schools in 12 foreign countries, seven states, Guam and Puerto Rico. The schools serve over 82,000 students.

Blue, Jess's 11-year-old daughter, attends Ramstein Intermediate School, one of four schools at the base. She came out over the summer and was accepted by most of her classmates and the school administration.

However, just three days after the school sent a letter to the parents of Blue's classmates saying she'd be using the girls' restroom, the school reneged on its decision, telling Blue she'd have to use either the boys' restroom or a gender-neutral one three floors below her classroom.

According to Jess, the discriminatory measure was set in motion by Liz Dunham, the superintendent in charge of the Bavaria district of the DoDEA.

When Jess confronted Dunham about the issue, the school official simply stated that the district had no policy in place to accommodate Blue. Jess then informed her that the middle school and high school on the base had established trans-inclusive bathroom policies, but she said Dunham "didn't really care."

"She insisted that DoDEA doesn't have a policy yet, even though there was a letter sent to parents by DoDEA about its transgender policy," Jess said.

Jess said she reminded Dunham of the letter, but was quickly rebuffed. The superintendent clarified that the letter said there would be no discrimination against trans students, not that the school would be implementing new rules on bathroom use.

Thankfully, the DoDEA corrected this confusing sentiment by officially intervening in the matter and assuring Blue that she could use the restroom that best aligned with her gender identity, starting today.

"We met with the chief of staff for DoDEA today he confirmed that yes indeed DoDEA will be implementing this at all 190 schools," Jess shared on Facebook. "They may take a week or two to fully implement (they would like some suggestions on how to best do that) but Blue will be using the girls bathroom on Monday!"

Last Friday, the head of the nation's largest LGBTQ military family advocacy group spoke out in support of Blue and her family.

"This superintendent's decision to violate the civil rights of this transgender student is alarming," Ashley Broadway-Mack, president of the American Military Partner Association, stated. "All students, regardless of their gender identity, deserve to be able to go to school in an environment free from discrimination and harassment."

"The Department of Defense school system is currently observing October as National Bullying Prevention Month," she continued, "yet this superintendent has unacceptably chosen to single out and discriminate against a student because of her gender identity."

She concluded: "Transgender youth already face high rates of marginalization, bullying, and harassment, and we urge the [Department of Defense] to immediately step in and correct this unconscionable decision."

Neither the Pentagon nor Liz Dunham have spoken publicly on the matter.

h/t: NBC

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