On Wednesday, the Ohio Senate approved a ban on transgender students using bathrooms that correspond to their gender identities and sent the bill to Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.
The Republican-backed bill applies to public K-12 schools as well as higher education institutions.
It requires schools to designate separate bathrooms, locker rooms, and overnight accommodations “for the exclusive use” of either males or females, based on one’s gender assigned at or near birth, in both school buildings and facilities used for school-related events.
The legislation would not apply to school employees, emergencies, or those who assist young children or those with disabilities, and schools would continue to be able to provide single-use and family restrooms.
State Senator Jerry Cirino, a Republican from Kirtland, stated that the bill “is about safety and security.”
The ACLU of Ohio urged the governor not to sign the bill, which it condemned as a violation of LGBTQ+ Ohioans’ right to privacy and will make them less safe.
“If allowed to go into effect, SB 104 will create unsafe environments for trans and gender non-conforming individuals of all ages,” said Jocelyn Rosnick, the group’s policy director. “This bill ignores the material reality that transgender people endure higher rates of sexual violence and assaults, particularly while using public restrooms, than people who are not transgender.”
The Center for Christian Virtue applauded legislators for passing the bill and urged DeWine to sign it. The governor has stated that he is inclined to sign the bill, but will first conduct a legal review.
“Today is a huge victory for children and families in Ohio,” CCV Policy Director David Mahan stated. “Amended SB104 is common-sense legislation that will guarantee the only people entering young ladies’ private spaces are female, not men claiming to be female.”
At least 11 states have passed laws prohibiting transgender girls and women from using girls’ and women’s restrooms in public schools and, in some cases, other government facilities.
The laws are in effect in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah. In Idaho, a judge has issued an order suspending enforcement.
Before passing the measure in June, Ohio House Republicans attached it to a proposal for Ohio’s college credit program for high school students, much to the chagrin of one of the Democratic state senators who had signed on as a co-sponsor.
Sen. Catherine Ingram of Cincinnati said she was removing her name from the bill.
Senate Democratic Leader Nickie Antonio said she couldn’t believe Republican leaders prioritized the bill on their first day back from the November election.
“There should be no exception to liberty and justice for all, yet here we are telling our children that there are people who are less-than,” according to her. “This bill isn’t about bathrooms. It is about demonizing those who are different, and our children are witnessing and listening to the fearmongering.”
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