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Donald Trump’s government is set to revoke guidelines which provide protection for transgender students in schools.

The bill would reverse a key directive brought in under Barack Obama which allowed students to use toilets and changing rooms matching their chosen gender identity.

Although the guidance was not legally binding, transgender rights advocates said it was necessary to protect students from discrimination.

However, its critics argued the Obama guidance was excessive and confusing.

"School administrators, parents and students have expressed varying views on the legal issues arising in this setting," the draft reads.

"They have also struggled to understand and apply the statements of policy and guidance.”

Protesters descend on Westminster as MPs debate Trump state visit 15 show all Protesters descend on Westminster as MPs debate Trump state visit 1/15 Protesters held placards with anti_trump messages EPA 2/15 Protesters hold up placards during a rally in Parliament Square Getty Images 3/15 Parliament Square was packed with protesters on Monday evening EPA 4/15 Anti-Trump chants were heard from Parliament Square before the debate PA 5/15 Co-Leader of the Green Party Caroline Patricia Lucas MP, addresses the rally PA 6/15 The protest began during the afternoon and continued into the evening PA 7/15 A rally was held in Westminster protesting against Donald Trump PA 8/15 A petition against the US president's state visit to the UK reached 1.8 million signatures Getty Images 9/15 MPs were debating Theresa's May state visit invitation to Donald Trump PA 10/15 Demonstrators attend a rally in Westminster protesting against Donald Trump PA 11/15 rotesters demonstrate against the proposed State visit to the UK of US President EPA 12/15 Demonstrators hold a 'Trump climate disaster' banner REUTERS 13/15 Demonstrators attend a rally in Westminster protesting against Donald Trump PA 14/15 Demonstrators gather in front of the Houses of Parliament REUTERS 15/15 Protesters march through Westminster flanked by police Hugh McDaid 1/15 Protesters held placards with anti_trump messages EPA 2/15 Protesters hold up placards during a rally in Parliament Square Getty Images 3/15 Parliament Square was packed with protesters on Monday evening EPA 4/15 Anti-Trump chants were heard from Parliament Square before the debate PA 5/15 Co-Leader of the Green Party Caroline Patricia Lucas MP, addresses the rally PA 6/15 The protest began during the afternoon and continued into the evening PA 7/15 A rally was held in Westminster protesting against Donald Trump PA 8/15 A petition against the US president's state visit to the UK reached 1.8 million signatures Getty Images 9/15 MPs were debating Theresa's May state visit invitation to Donald Trump PA 10/15 Demonstrators attend a rally in Westminster protesting against Donald Trump PA 11/15 rotesters demonstrate against the proposed State visit to the UK of US President EPA 12/15 Demonstrators hold a 'Trump climate disaster' banner REUTERS 13/15 Demonstrators attend a rally in Westminster protesting against Donald Trump PA 14/15 Demonstrators gather in front of the Houses of Parliament REUTERS 15/15 Protesters march through Westminster flanked by police Hugh McDaid

Texas lieutenant governor Dan Patrick equated Mr Obama’s guidance to "blackmail" at the time.

The White House said President Donald Trump believes the issue is for the states to decide without federal involvement.

The White House released a statement in January which said: "President Donald J Trump is determined to protect the rights of all Americans, including the LGBTQ community.

"President Trump continues to be respectful and supportive of LGBTQ rights, just as he was throughout the election."

On Monday evening, thousands of protesters gathered outside Westminster Hall as MPs clashed during a debate over Theresa May's decision to invite Donald Trump on a state visit to the UK.

The discussion was held in response to petitions signed by millions of Britons calling for the President’s visit to be blocked.

Anti-Trump chants were heard from Parliament Square before the debate, and appeared to die down as Labour MP Paul Flynn opened proceedings.

The petition, signed by more than 1.85 million people, called for the visit to be stripped of the trappings of a state occasion in order to avoid causing "embarrassment" to the Queen.