According to the media (which the president assures us is lying, corrupt, dishonest, and “the enemy of the American people”), Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos objected to the president’s decision to remove federal protection for transgender students. She expressed concern for the harm that might occur to the students, but was overruled by the president and Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
What a family fight there must have been when the news got out! The DeVos family were among the original founders of such anti-LGBT groups as Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council. DeVos family foundations have given millions to them and sit on their boards.
I wonder what the family said when they learned that Betsy was defending trannies. Did they believe it? Were they surprised? Was it true?
During the campaign, Trump said he didn’t care what bathroom his gay friends used. Caitlyn Jenner visited Trump, and he reassured her.
It seems that Jeff Sessions has the power to overrule both DeVos and Trump. Or were we all hoaxed?
Diane Ravitch's blog 
During her hearings Devos was questioned about her anti LGBT feelings and she claimed that was other family members and not her point of view.
I give her Kudos for attempting to stand up for the rights of transgendered students, even though she was forced to back down (she did give a more than token fight on the issue). She continues to verbally supports the rights of the LGBT student, despite Sessions anti-gay stance.
While I still have concerns, I believe giving credit where credit is due and now have a glimmer of hope that Devos will be on the right side of other issues. (Although even if her ideas matched mine, she still doesn’t have the experience necessary to effectively lead the department).
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While I am not defending the Department of Justice’s rescinding the guidance on transgender students, please be careful that you do not undermine the credibility of your comments by inadvertently mischaracterizing the administration’s actions. The administration did not “remove federal protection for transgender students.” The federal law remains in place – and the protections are the same today as they were yesterday. (You are not alone in your mischaracterization. CNN’s headline was downright irresponsible).
Furthermore, the “guidance” previously issued by the Department of Justice and Department of Education did not have the force of law – it was simply those Department’s interpretation of Title IX as it should be applied to transgender students. For those of us in the trenches at the school district level, nothing has changed. We will still do our best to protect all students from bullying, harassment and discrimination – especially those who are most vulnerable such as our LGBTQ students.
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You are right. It was just Obama’s directive which was rescinded and that was on hold until reviewed by the courts.
And yes, individual schools and districts are hopefully protecting all their students. The Buffalo Publuc Schools has come out with a public statement backing transgendered students right to use the restroom of their choice, not restricting them to the bathroom of their genetic birth, regardless of any rhetoric by government officials.
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Well it’s a good thing I read it to the very last sentence. The only question is who were
we hoaxed by. Were we hoaxed by the most deplorable President in modern history or the most deplorable cabinet appointment in modern history. What a way to take some heat off of Betsy the Beast, than by showing her to to be the person of reason and compassion in the snake pit.
And speaking of my attitude toward the deplorable’s in high office and at the bottom of the cesspool . Charles Blow must live in my neighborhood because he echoed my not very original sentiments today. I read him an hour after I read Kristof , had I read him before, my comment to Kristof would have been see Charles,
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I think they’re just playing good cop bad cop. Betsy is such a thoroughly hated figure she has to say something that’s going to make her look like a not-despicable human being.
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There is a difference between investigative journalism and reporting what the White House reports. When I first saw the article in the Times yesterday, my gut reaction was: P.R. hoax. The Elizabeth DeV(i)o(u)s (thanks, Poet) I saw defending gun rights due to grizzly bears would not stand up for social justice. She simply would not do that. I do not believe the conversation actually took place without planning. It appears to me the administration is attempting to mend her image. Deeper investigation by the press is required.
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Given her history and ideology, the idea that she would stand up for the rights of transgender students is absurd. I doubt she believes in civil rights protections for any students.
DeVos to Sanders: Nothing is free.
It’s a tough world, you know. Take care of your own problems.
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He throwing her hands up in protest was just a PR stunt. It was a done deal and she knew that. The bit about her being threatened with her job over her “stance” was too. This faux-martyrdom act, however, is being gobbled up by lots of constituents.
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