
Donald Trump’s decision to immediately revoke protections for transgender children has provoked a firestorm of outrage, and one of the most outspoken voices of protest is the singer who performed the national anthem at Trump's inauguration, whose sister is transgender.

On Wednesday, the Trump administration rescinded guidelines that had been put in place by President Obama which instructed public schools to allow transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice. Echoing arguments made a generation ago by segregationists, White House spokesman Sean Spicer claimed that decisions about these protections are a "states' rights issue."

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman condemned the move: "President Trump's decision to rescind anti-discrimination protections for transgender students is yet another cruel move by an administration committed to divisive policies that roll back the clock on civil rights. Transgender individuals deserve to live in dignity, without fear of bullying or discrimination."

And now another notable voice is speaking out against the decision.


Jackie Evancho sung the anthem at Donald Trump’s inauguration, but after this attack on transgender rights, she wrote on Twitter, "I am obviously disappointed in the @POTUS decision to send the #transgender bathroom issue to the states to decide." She later wrote, "@realDonaldTrump u gave me the honor 2 sing at your inauguration. Pls give me & my sis the honor 2 meet with u 2 talk #transgender rghts."

Evancho’s teenage sister, Juliet, is transgender, and is part of a lawsuit against her school district in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, alleging discrimination by the district for forcing transgender students to use separate bathrooms.

The Evanchos appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America to make their case against Trump’s discriminatory decision.

Jackie explained that she wanted to speak to Trump and "enlighten him on what my sister, I've seen her go through every single day in school and people just like her, what they deal with, the discrimination, it's terrible." Juliet said she wanted Trump to know that "being in such an unsafe environment won't do any good for not only the transgenders and the LGBT community but as well as everyone as a whole."