Tobin's Ruling

Rhetorical Strategies in Tobin’s “What’s Missing from the Anti-Trans Ruling?” America is a country in which every man is created equal; but what about the young men and women who may not identify as the gender they were born with? Harper Jean Tobin is an advocate for transgender teens who as of right now, are not being treated as equals by law. Tobin’s article starts with a brief summary on district judge Reed O’Connor’s most recent injunction on the federal government’s allowance of bathrooms in high school being available to all gender identities. She quickly follows by addressing her argument; Connor’s injunction is unlawful. Tobin’s article is directed towards the general audience, but her overall purpose is to inform those who may not …show more content…
Therefore, she provides lawful evidence in order to successfully convince readers of her purpose. She brings up the Title IX education law, which over thirteen federal courts have claimed are supposed to protect transgender students in their school. Tobin goes on even further and claims that O’Connor was false in his statement, “it cannot be disputed that the plain meaning of the term sex is limited to anatomical differences” (Tobin). Tobin reminds her audience that the Title IX education law is meant to protect sexual discrimination of all types. This includes, but is not limited to, gender stereotypes. Tobin’s use of a federally mandated law completely supports her argument and proves that O’Connor’s injunction is disregarding federal legislation. Citing this law appeals to the use of logos, and convinces the reader that O’Connor was illegitimate in his injunction. The use of the Title IX education law was brilliantly executed by Tobin and the federal regulation can completely convince her readers that the injunction is unlawful. However, in order to spark action from the audience, Tobin continues on to show the negative impact O’Connor’s ruling has had on the …show more content…
Her use of the Title IX education law and the National Association of Secondary School Principals brings creditability as well as logic to her argument. She provides strong and thorough facts to discredit O’Connor and prove to readers that she is serious about discrimination being prominent in the education system. Her use of including Skye in her article also touches the heart of many readers, which has the effect of successfully convincing the audience that the problem needs to be dealt with immediately. Tobin uses a combination of ethos, logos, and pathos to drive her article and create a compelling argument against district judge Reed O’Connor’s most recent injunction on allowing transgender to enter their preferred