News of the Obama Administration's decision to allow Transgender students to use the bathroom of the gender they identify with was greeted with joy by members of the LGBT community.
“It’s really exciting to see clarification on Title 9," said Nate Quinn.
Title 9 refers to a law requiring gender equality in public schools and universities.
Quinn has been pushing the Sarasota School board to pass such a law, he believes this federal mandate gives the district some guidance.
“It’s exactly what they were asking for, Obama saying that Title 9 says you need to include transgender students.”
The federal ruling comes weeks after North Carolina passed a law requiring people to use restrooms based on what gender is on their birth certificate. Some people think that's how it should.
"No I do not agree with that, because that man was born a man and therefore should be a man, and if a woman was born a woman, she should be the woman she was meant to be," said Dennis Bruton.
Quinn doesn't think sexual assaults will increase because of this new law.
“People that are breaking laws are going to break laws, no matter how the laws are set up.”
Others say the decision by the administration is a huge step in the decades long struggle for LGBT rights
"They don’t realize a lot of people have struggled and hidden from their lives, or losing their family or friends. I think we have come a long way because people are able to be themselves," said Shannon Fortner, who is in charge of the Harvey Milk Festival.
The festival honors slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk.
It runs through Saturday, Quinn will deliver the keynote speech in Five Points Park at 7:00 on Saturday.
