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Study shows school bathroom policies take toll on transgender students

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A recent study shows that bathroom policies in schools are taking a toll on transgender students, causing physical and psychological harm.

“Map,” a research group for LGBT issues, says transgender students do not feel valued.

Their report also found that 75 percent of transgender students do not feel safe at school and were more likely to experience verbal and physical harassment.

[CLICK HERE to read the report]

Roughly 70 percent of transgender students said they avoid bathrooms altogether because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable.

In February, the justice and education departments reversed an order from the Obama administration that said federal rules, including Title IX, protected the rights of transgender students to use bathrooms of their gender identity.

The authors of this latest study sent a letter to education secretary Betsy Devos, urging her to read the report and ensure protections for all students.

The Education Department has not responded yet.

Two weeks ago, North Carolina lawmakers announced a deal to repeal the state's controversial House Bill Two, which forced transgender people to use the bathroom that matches their biological sex.

House Bill 2 has been in effect for just over a year, and has cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars. Critics said the new replacement bill still invokes discrimination.

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