NYC Mayor Adams challenges gender-bathroom policy as chancellor says it’s staying in place
Education officials insist transgender-inclusive bathroom policies remain in effect despite the mayor’s objections amid federal funding pressure.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has publicly challenged the city’s bathroom gender policies in public schools, telling reporters he will not 'succumb' to policies that allow transgender students to use facilities aligned with gender identity if he believes they compromise safety. He argued that allowing a boy in high school to use a bathroom or shower designated for girls could create safety risks. Education Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, in contrast, said on the Max Politics podcast that the policies are here to stay and will be upheld as part of the city’s values in public schools. '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.
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Under the current policy, the city’s Department of Education requires that students be provided access to bathrooms and other facilities consistent with the gender identity they assert at school. Aviles-Ramos said the policy is operating in accordance with state law. Mayor Adams has said he is reviewing whether he has the authority to change the policy as his stance draws attention from federal officials and lawmakers.
The episode comes amid guidance from the U.S. Education Department warning that transgender-inclusive policies could amount to a violation of other students’ rights and potentially jeopardize federal funding. City Hall officials have said the federal government is using funding leverage to pressure policy changes, framing it as a tool to alter policies it dislikes.
City Hall has also pushed back against the idea of a rift within the administration, arguing that differences of opinion strengthen the government. A spokesperson said the mayor and the chancellor are aligned on following the law, supporting students’ identities, and keeping them safe in schools; the administration contends that upholding state law while protecting students remains the shared objective.
The policy’s continued status was reaffirmed by education officials and city representatives who emphasized the shared goal of safety, inclusivity, and compliance with state law. While the mayor’s rhetoric has spotlighted the issue, Aviles-Ramos and DOE officials insist that the fundamental policy framework remains in place and that the district will continue to operate within the current rules as they navigate federal expectations and state requirements.
The administration’s stance highlights the broader national debate over how schools accommodate gender identity in facilities, a debate that has intensified as federal authorities monitor local implementations more closely. As the city moves forward, officials say the priority remains clear: ensure safe, respectful, and affirming environments for all students while complying with applicable laws and safeguarding funding streams that support education across New York City.
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