Opposing Narratives: Trump Drops Federal Legislation Protecting Transgender Students

     Earlier this month, Donald Trump decided to withdraw from federal guidelines established during Obama's administration that protect transgender children attending public schools rights to use the bathroom of their choice. President Trump has dropped these guidelines from a federal level and is allowing states to decide for themselves. These guidelines allowed children the choice to use whichever restroom matches their gender identity. This ruling now makes transgender children in more conservative states vulnerable to discrimination. The past few years transgender rights have made there way to the mainstream media, and in turn opposing narratives emerge from "conservative" vs. "liberal" media outlets. It appears that the past presidential campaign, election, and new administration has created fertile ground for biased news or press that works to maintain the echo chamber of the party it is supporting.
      The conservative or alt-right news outlet Breitbart has become popular recently for it's extreme and controversial views. Joel B. Pollak of Breitbart released an article on February 23, 2017 titled "California Defies Trump On Transgender Bathrooms for Kids." The headline immediately is attempting to shift the blame onto the California Department of Education, rather than President Trump. The use of the word "defies," to openly resist or refuse to obey, is used in order to make the opponents appear radical and uncooperative rather than angry at Trump's decision. The opening paragraph of this article continues to state, "The Obama administration urged schools to allow students to use bathrooms and locker rooms according to their 'gender identity,' as opposed to biological sex" (Pollak, 2017). The use of quotes around gender identity insinuates that the author does not believe in a difference between gender identity and biological sex. Pollak continues to warn readers that this legislation could result in "anatomically male students undressing in front of female students" (Pollak, 2017). I believe this is a tactic used to make the readers feel worried or concerned for their children, even though this example is not realistic. To close the article, Pollak claims that only "0.6% of American adults identify as 'transgender'" (2017) though he does not state how or where this statistic was created. This article seems to be targeted toward the sympathetic audience, that supports Trump's decision to withdraw from the guidelines, in order to rile up the hostiles. Moderates that read this article, or frankly any article from Breitbart, will receive a biased explanation of the event. They are taking advantage of their ignorance and providing them with poorly stated alternative facts. Pollak uses the peripheral root and heuristic triggers to persuade his audience. Clearly, this article by Joel Pollack is directed towards a conservative audience, and uses emotional appeals more than factual information.
     The New York Times is considered a more left-leaning news outlet. Liam Stack published an article on February 11, 2017 titled "Trump Drops Defense of Obama Guidelines on Transgender Students." In contrast to Pollak's headline, the NYT headline places blame on President Trump and implies that the transgender students are the victims in this case. Stack takes a more sympathetic approach to this issue, but also includes facts to explain the situation rather than opinion. This article attempts to push the blame more on Trump, including quotes from the executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality Mara Keisling, calling this a "callous attack on the dignity and safety of transgender students" (Stack, 2017). The rhetoric of this article uses language that unites to audience and identifies Trump as the common enemy. Stack writes, "The Obama administration evolved into an ardent defender of transgender students" (2017). Stack utilizes the central root to persuade his audience by carefully considering the evidence and facts of the situation.




Pollak, J. B. (2017 February 23). California defies Trump on transgender bathrooms for kids.  Retrieved from: http://www.breitbart.com/california/2017/02/23/transgender-california-defies-trump-  directive-repeal/

Stack, L. (2017, February 11). Trump drops defense of Obama guidelines on transgender students.      The New York Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/11/us/politics/trump-    transgender-students-injunction.html?_r=0