Deschire governor says transgender bathroom controversy a human rights issue
NORTHBRIDGE, Des. -- Calling it a "necessary protection of civil rights," Deschire Governor Jan Beamer threw her support behind a bill that would require the state's public schools to allow students to use the bathroom of their choice.
Under the proposed law, students at any public K-12 school or university would be allowed to use the bathroom or locker room that matches their self-perceived gender instead of their physical anatomy.
Officially titled the "Make Schools a Safe Place Law," Senate Bill 77 would permit students to use the bathroom facility they feel most comfortable in, regardless of their physical appearance or sex.
The proposed law is meant to protect transgender students who may not feel comfortable using restrooms that match the sex they were born with. Under the proposed rules, a male student who identifies as female would be able to use a girls bathroom, and vice versa, regardless of outward appearance or physical characteristics.
But critics say the law puts other non-transgender students at risk of voyeurism. A male student, for example, could pretend to a transgender woman in order to gain access to female students undressing in a locker room, say opponents.
"This is just common sense. This [law] will be abused if it's passed. Male students will use it to their advantage to get inside a girls locker room and will use this law as a pretense. It's only common sense that this could be a problematic issue," Conservative state Sen. Jim Lerhbos, who opposes the bill, told the GBC.
But Governor Beamer played down privacy concerns.
"No one wants voyeurism, and we all want to ensure the privacy and protection of our children. That is our primary goal," said Beamer. "But at the same time, this is a civil rights issue. People should be able to use the bathroom that matches the gender they identify with. We have laws in place to deal with voyeurism. Those will remain in tact and strictly enforced. This law does not put students at risk. It's about inclusion."
The National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL) endorsed the legislation, saying protecting minorities like transgender students is an obligation of the government.
"If we value human rights and we value fairness and equality, then we must protect transgender students. That's the responsibility of the government, to ensure the rights and freedoms of all citizens are protected, minorities especially," Cole Savilla, chairman of the NCCL, told the Berivian Emblem-Herald.
Critics also contend that local school districts and school boards should deal with the issue instead of a state mandate.
"Each school district and community is different. Instead of Northbridge dictating what each school can and can't do, why don't we leave it in the hands of the local school districts. They are more familiar with their community than some politician in Northbridge who has no connection to that community," said state Rep. Ericka Hawthorne (C-Humboldton).
Governor Beamer is not standing down. She said she will sign the bill when it passes the state Semate, which is expected to happen in the next week.
Beamer has gone further, issuing an executive order requiring all state agency buildings to allow transgender clients and citizens to use the bathroom of their choice.
Senator Jay Burns (C), who is running for governor and will likely face Beamer in the general election later this year, said he opposes the measure.
"Of course transgender Deschireans deserve fairness and equal rights. They shouldn't suffer discrimination, but this law is too far reaching and puts students at risk. This law invites sexual predators to take advantage of vulnerable young people," said Burns.
"Ironically, it's called the 'Make Schools a Safe Place' law, but it actually makes schools less safe and sacrifices students' safety in the name of equality," Burns added.
Similar legislation is pending in six other states.
NORTHBRIDGE, Des. -- Calling it a "necessary protection of civil rights," Deschire Governor Jan Beamer threw her support behind a bill that would require the state's public schools to allow students to use the bathroom of their choice.
Under the proposed law, students at any public K-12 school or university would be allowed to use the bathroom or locker room that matches their self-perceived gender instead of their physical anatomy.
Officially titled the "Make Schools a Safe Place Law," Senate Bill 77 would permit students to use the bathroom facility they feel most comfortable in, regardless of their physical appearance or sex.
The proposed law is meant to protect transgender students who may not feel comfortable using restrooms that match the sex they were born with. Under the proposed rules, a male student who identifies as female would be able to use a girls bathroom, and vice versa, regardless of outward appearance or physical characteristics.
But critics say the law puts other non-transgender students at risk of voyeurism. A male student, for example, could pretend to a transgender woman in order to gain access to female students undressing in a locker room, say opponents.
"This is just common sense. This [law] will be abused if it's passed. Male students will use it to their advantage to get inside a girls locker room and will use this law as a pretense. It's only common sense that this could be a problematic issue," Conservative state Sen. Jim Lerhbos, who opposes the bill, told the GBC.
But Governor Beamer played down privacy concerns.
"No one wants voyeurism, and we all want to ensure the privacy and protection of our children. That is our primary goal," said Beamer. "But at the same time, this is a civil rights issue. People should be able to use the bathroom that matches the gender they identify with. We have laws in place to deal with voyeurism. Those will remain in tact and strictly enforced. This law does not put students at risk. It's about inclusion."
The National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL) endorsed the legislation, saying protecting minorities like transgender students is an obligation of the government.
"If we value human rights and we value fairness and equality, then we must protect transgender students. That's the responsibility of the government, to ensure the rights and freedoms of all citizens are protected, minorities especially," Cole Savilla, chairman of the NCCL, told the Berivian Emblem-Herald.
Critics also contend that local school districts and school boards should deal with the issue instead of a state mandate.
"Each school district and community is different. Instead of Northbridge dictating what each school can and can't do, why don't we leave it in the hands of the local school districts. They are more familiar with their community than some politician in Northbridge who has no connection to that community," said state Rep. Ericka Hawthorne (C-Humboldton).
Governor Beamer is not standing down. She said she will sign the bill when it passes the state Semate, which is expected to happen in the next week.
Beamer has gone further, issuing an executive order requiring all state agency buildings to allow transgender clients and citizens to use the bathroom of their choice.
Senator Jay Burns (C), who is running for governor and will likely face Beamer in the general election later this year, said he opposes the measure.
"Of course transgender Deschireans deserve fairness and equal rights. They shouldn't suffer discrimination, but this law is too far reaching and puts students at risk. This law invites sexual predators to take advantage of vulnerable young people," said Burns.
"Ironically, it's called the 'Make Schools a Safe Place' law, but it actually makes schools less safe and sacrifices students' safety in the name of equality," Burns added.
Similar legislation is pending in six other states.
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