Religious Schools Seek Transgender Accommodation Waiver

Religious colleges and universities are seeking waivers on transgender student accommodations.

A report by the Human Rights Campaign says nearly three dozen schools have received federal waivers allowing them not to accommodate transgender students in admissions, housin,g and other areas of campus life.

"We are actively exploring steps to ensure these colleges and others receive the scrutiny they deserve for this deeply troubling activity," the New York Times quoted Human Rights Campaign spokesman Jason Rahlan.

The schools say giving transgender students access to single-sex restrooms and other facilities that correspond with their gender identity would be inconsistent with their religious beliefs.

Alliance Defending Freedom says the Department of Education for Civil Rights has "exceeded its legal authority" by taking the position that the federal sex discrimination law applies to transgender students.