Georgia Governor Blasts Transgender Student Order

Georgia's governor and other statewide leaders on Tuesday criticized the Obama administration's recent directive on transgender students as an abuse of federal authority.

But in his first comments on the issue since Friday's directive, Republican Gov. Nathan Deal stopped short of pledging legal action, a step demanded by GOP state senators objecting to the guidance that transgender students at public schools must be allowed to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity.

Senators wrote a letter to Deal this week calling for Georgia to join legal challenges over transgender students' access to bathrooms at public schools and defend any school district sued individually over the issue. The state's Republican attorney general, Sam Olens, also made no mention of legal action in a written statement issued Tuesday.

Robbie Medwed, education director for the faith-based LGBT advocacy organization Southern Jewish Resource Network, called the mounting opposition from Georgia Republicans leaders "really disappointing."

"The directive letter outlines best practices from across the country," Medwed said. "Far more important than what the governor says or what the president says are the actual facts of the situation: that transgender kids and all kids are safer when transgender kids are treated with respect."

Courts have issued mixed rulings on whether transgender people are protected by federal civil rights law. But the directive says schools that refuse to comply could face federal lawsuits and lose federal aid. Georgia's budget for the financial year starting in July includes nearly $2 billion in federal education funding and grants.

Conservative leaders in other states rushed to criticize the administration's guidance. Since it was issued, some urged school districts to disregard it while several states have signed on to a brief asking a federal appeals court to rehear a case over a Virginia transgender student's access to the boys' bathroom.

Deal instead asked state Superintendent Richard Woods to "provide guidance" to school districts aimed at "uniformity" across the state. Each district "must determine an appropriate response to this federal overreach," he said.

"Until Congress acts, I assure the citizens of Georgia that the offices of the governor, attorney general and state school superintendent will work cooperatively to protect the interests of Georgia's children from this abuse of federal executive authority," Deal said.

Asked for comment, Woods spokesman Matt Cardoza cited a statement the Republican issued on Friday. In the statement, Woods said the state Department of Education will "communicate with districts when we've had time to fully evaluate the issue." Woods also said he did not believe "a student of another gender should use a restroom alongside students of the opposite sex."

Olens said local officials and parents can make the best decision for their community.

"As the State's chief law enforcement officer, I will take steps, when appropriate under the law, to ensure that these decisions are being made at the appropriate level," he said in the statement.