Mayor Eric Adams has been railing against policies that allow transgender students to use bathrooms aligned with their gender identities — but his own schools chancellor said nothing’s going to change.
Education Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos stood by the gender policy in an interview on the Max Politics podcast, despite Hizzoner’s recent rhetoric on the issue.
“To date, those policies remain in place and we’re going to continue to uphold them as part of our values in New York City public schools,” Aviles-Ramos said.
Despite Mayor Eric Adams’ latest agenda of criticizing the current rules in place that allow transgender students to use bathrooms aligned with their gender identities, those policies will remain in effect. Brigitte Stelzer
Mayor Adams unleashed several tirades against bathroom policies in recent days, saying he wouldn’t “succumb” to letting girls and boys share the same facilities.
“I’m not quite sure why people think it’s all right for a young man in high school to go into a shower where young girls are,” Adams told reporters at one event.
“I mean, that just doesn’t make any sense to me. It’s not safe.”
The city Department of Education requires that students “must” be provided access to bathrooms and other facilities, “consistent with their gender identity asserted at school.”
While Aviles-Ramos said that the policy is acting in accordance with state law, the mayor has said he is reviewing whether he has authority to change the policy.
The mayor’s newfound crusade comes amidst US Education Department warning the city schools about its transgender inclusion policies, claiming that it could amount to a violation of other students’ rights and result in the feds withholding millions in funding to the city.
Education Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos appeared on the Max Politics podcast to confirm the gender policy will remain in place while also stating that she supports the current system in place across public schools in the Big Apple. John – stock.adobe.com
“The federal government is threatening to defund our children’s education as a tool to change policies it doesn’t like,” a City Hall spokesperson said.
“While Mayor Adams may not agree with every rule or policy, we will always stand up to protect critical resources.”
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City Hall disputed that there was a rift between Hizzoner and the chancellor, stating that “the administration is not a monolith” and that differing opinions strengthen it – while also claiming that they are on the same page on the issue.
“On this issue, the mayor and chancellor are fully aligned: we must follow the law, support our students’ identities, and keep them safe at all times.
A city DOE spokesperson also claimed the schools and Adams “have the same goal” of upholding state law and keeping students safe.
“We will ensure every student is safe, respected, and affirmed in school, and that our schools remains a safe space for all,” the spokesperson said.