Michigan’s Board of Education president has told policy makers and educators in Dearborn that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students should be acknowledged and embraced in school to help improve learning and life outcomes.

John Austin spoke Thursday at a White House Summit on LGBT student issues at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Austin said research shows that “absent a school environment that welcomes and supports them, Michigan school children who say they are lesbian, gay or bisexual — and the as yet uncounted but growing number of transgender students — won’t get the education they too deserve.”

Michigan’s Board of Education has proposed guidelines that suggested schools could — if they so choose — allow transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice.

Some Michigan lawmakers oppose the guidelines.