The leader of the U.S. Department of Education must prioritize and protect students’ civil rights – not seek to undermine them. Student survivors, LGBTQ+ young people, and pregnant and parenting students deserve a leader who will defend them from discrimination and uphold their right to a safe, inclusive education.

All young people deserve to be safe and celebrated at school, and to see themselves reflected in school curricula. Research shows that a person’s identities are strongly linked to their health outcomes. We can’t, and shouldn’t, ignore the unique challenges BIPOC youth and LGBTQ+ youth are facing in their lives.

We will never stop fighting for transgender young people’s right to thrive – and against cruel attempts to play politics with their lives, their futures, and their safety. Transgender youth will always be here. We must work harder than ever to build a world that meets their needs and celebrates their power.

All young people deserve to feel safe in public spaces, and to access the health care, education, and resources they need without threat of deportation. It is unacceptable that the government would perpetuate this campaign of intimidation that will only serve to negatively affect the health and well-being of our communities.

We condemn Trump’s attacks on immigrants, transgender people, abortion access, and medicine. Advocates for Youth and the young people with which we partner do not support this hate-based, extremist, dangerous agenda.

While today marks the start of a new, dangerous presidential administration, it is also an opportunity to recommit, despite the odds, to a vision of the United States in which every young person has equal unfettered access to the reproductive and sexual health information and services they need – no matter their income, age, location or political party.