“There have been very few complaints the way it is. People go. They use the bathroom that they feel is appropriate. There has been so little trouble.” 

Donald Trump made this statement regarding transgender bathroom usage at a town-hall-style event hosted by NBC in Manhattan on April 21, 2016.

But President Trump decided on Feb. 23 to contradict this statement and rescind Barack Obama’s rule on the bathroom use for transgender individuals, specifically students in school. 

This was a very disrespectful decision that has harmed students nationwide. People who agree with the ruling argue that allowing transgender people to use whichever bathroom they prefer will put cisgender people, those who identify as the gender they were born with, at a higher risk for rape and molestation.

One in two transgender people are sexually abused and/or physically assaulted and 70 percent of transgender people admit to this happening to them.

But only 10 percent reported it, according to USA  Today. Reports of a transgenders assaulting others in a public restroom do not exist.

Rape culture is problematic enough. But after learning that only every 10 of 70 transgender people who have been raped, molested and sexually harassed have filed reports makes one think of who would be the real victims in a public bathroom.

On Oct. 12, 2016, an audio recording of Trump was leaked of him bragging about how he would walk into the dressing rooms for his beauty pageants while women were changing.

“You know, they’re standing there with no clothes. ‘Is everybody OK?’” he bragged.  “I sort of get away with things like that,” said Trump in an interview with People.

Victims as young as 15 years of age have come forward. Miss Vermont Teen USA at the time, Mariah Billado, said in a Buzzfeed interview, “I remember putting on my dress really quick because I was like, ‘Oh my god, there’s a man in here’.” 

Others said it was “creepy” and “really shocking.” Why should we assume transgender people will hurt a child in the public restroom when our president has bragged about walking in on women changing and has rape allegations?

 Most people who agree with this law were some of the same people who wanted Trump for president. It’s very hypocritical.

Another argument against transgender bathrooms is they could make others in the restroom feel uncomfortable. 

If it disturbs you, isn’t that transphobia?

 People go to the restroom to use the restroom. Nothing else.Many civil rights groups and activists believe banning transgender children from using their desired restroom will put children who identify as transgender in danger and actually be the ones to get abused. 

Sophomore Gavin Grimm, a transgender male, told CNN he is a boy like any of his peers and should be treated as such.

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) president Sarah Kate Ellis responded to this law by saying on the GLAAD’s Facebook page, “Transgender youth face extremely high rates of discrimination and bullying. By rescinding the Department of Education guidance recommending trans students be treated equally under Title IX, the administration is sending an alarming message that it will no longer defend their rights.” 

The discrimination transgender people face day to day is immoral. A transgender person is no more likely to harm someone in a bathroom than a cisgender person. 

This isn’t about restrooms, Just equal rights.