Kent State students react to Trump’s transgender bathroom policies from KentWired.com on Vimeo.

The Trump administration withdrew an Obama-era directive that let transgender students in public schools use the bathroom that matches their gender identity. Withdrawing this directive has prompted outrage from the LGBTQ community. 

Last year, Obama enacted guidelines, allowing transgender students to use the bathroom pertaining to their chosen gender—regardless of their sex assigned at birth.

Kent State student Kayden Maclay is one person who is angered by the Trump administration’s decision.

“You have people who look like me,” Maclay said. “You have guys who were born biologically female… who are bigger than me and stronger than me. They have full grown beards—the whole 9-yards, and you wouldn’t be able to tell in a million years, and you want them to walk in the women’s restroom because that’s the way they were born. That’s worst than letting them go in the men’s restroom. That’s completely pointless.”

Not everyone is in disagreement with the Trump administration with the change on the transgender bathroom guidelines.

“I think it’s fair for them (LGBTQ community) to feel any way they please. If I didn’t feel I was being represented I’d probably feel upset too,” said Mattie Rice, a student at Kent State. “But I also think it’s kind of outrageous for them to say they are not included.”

Student Jacob Herold also presented a more conservative perspective.

“I really expect people would be uncomfortable with it because I feel like there are certain places like locker rooms and stuff,” Herold said. “People would feel uncomfortable if they see someone of the different sex. And I also believe there are other ways to solve this problem and that people can work it out together.”

Trump will be leaving the decision to the states to determine the best way to approach transgender bathroom guidelines.

For those impacted by the transgender guidelines, Katie Mattise, LGBTQ program coordinator, gave additional advice.

“You matter. Your identity is still valid,” Mattise said. “You are still a person. You still matter. You’re still worthy. And despite what other people and laws may say, you’re important. And you’re part of the world, and part of the (LGBTQ) community.”

The supreme court expects to hear further arguments on the matter March 28^th. 

Alliah Keller is a broadcast reporter, contact her at [email protected].