Regarding Mr. Rabb’s article about the President’s despicable act of betraying our national commitment to equal rights for all, including transgenders. I admire his fortitude however I found his article a bit melodramatic and inaccurate. His reason for jumping on Trump seems a bit wanted and specious and deserves some clarification.

The 1972 Title IX, the section of the law in question, holds that “no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

Do you really believe that the 1972 amendments were inclusive for transgender students? I think not. It is highly unlikely that Title IX’s definition of “sex” includes transgender students. Title IX became law to help defeat discrimination directed at women. Title IX was not about gender identity, it was about gender. Transgender is a totally different issue and takes some serious discussion and planning.

That is not to say that transgender students should be denied rights, but it is to say that Congress, not the courts or the president, should be the governmental body creating them.

If Obama really wished to be an ally of the transgender community, he could have used the Democratic majority he enjoyed during his first two years in office to advocate for amending Title IX to include transgender students.

He chose not to. How convenient of him. The fact is at the end of the day, Obama and Democratic lawmakers were all talk about making transgender students inclusive and no action.

President Trump’s decision to examine the legal issues surrounding transgender students has exposed President Barack Obama’s inaction when it comes to transgender rights.

Trump did not break a promise nor was it a sinister move. He was using the rules, rules that hold that without action from Congress such decisions are best left to the states. Therefore your beef is with New York state and Governor Coumo’s office. One would think you would be ecstatic with that arrangement. I would hope you will take your frustration and anger to Albany. You should castigate them not the POTUS.

That being said, it is not my main reason for responding to your opinion article. It takes a lot of courage to be an openly gay person and it takes additional courage to be a city council president. It is obvious that you are passionate about your cause and understandably so.

However, as a representative for the citizens of this community I do not feel it is appropriate (for the second time) to further your agenda by using the city’s “bully pulpit” in this manner especially in light of the fact that you are the president of Jamestown’s city council.

Incessant increases in taxes, utilities, and the creation of jobs should be the main focus of City Council. Although myself and many others are sympathetic towards your goals I do not feel it to be a community issue. However, if the Mayor of Jamestown made some sort of reference or proposed some goals to further your cause on behalf of the city during the State of The City address people might feel different. Don’t be so hard on Trump. He is a better friend than you think.

Bruce Piatz is a Jamestown resident.