Social media explodes with happiness, anger following Obama transgender directive



MILWAUKEE -- The U.S. Department of Justice and Education issued guidelines on Thursday, May 12th to ensure transgender students are allowed to use the restroom of the gender they identify with. It's causing controversy all over including here in Wisconsin.



It will affect all public schools and there are many opinions on it. The majority of them were easily found on social media.

It carries a clear message: fall in line or face loss of federal funding.



"It's a very big celebration," said Milwaukee County LGBT Community Center Executive Director, Karen Gotzler.

Not everyone was as thrilled. Moments after the news broke, social media lit up. Some questioning the government's involvement -- others expressing concern.

"I feel this gives predators an excuse to use the women's room to prey on women and children," said a FOX6 Facebook fan.



"This policy has nothing to do with sex offenders. This is about letting children use the bathroom of their gender identity," said Gotzler.

Gotzler says this will be a good thing for students in Wisconsin public schools.

Karen Gotzler



"It really ensures that those youth who are so vulnerable and so susceptible to bullying and to physical abuse that they're feeling protected," Gotzler said.

This has been an ongoing battle.

One Wisconsin lawmaker in particular, Representative Jesse Kramer, has been at the front of it working on legislation that would restrict transgender people from using restrooms and locker rooms -- recently motivated by Target's stance which allows transgender people to use any restroom in its store.

Gotzler says even with what she considers a victory today, she says their fight is not over.



National groups have already sent out statements which include asking schools to fight against this latest decree.