U.S Gov Signs Bill Barring Transgender Students From Public Bathrooms

Ohio Governor, Mike DeWine, has signed a bill barring transgender students in the state from using public bathrooms that align with their gender identity in public and private schools.

The law folded into Senate Bill 104, mandates K-12 and college students in both public and private institutions to use bathrooms, locker rooms and overnight accommodations that align with their sex assigned at birth.

Reacting to the development, Ohio state representative, Adam Bird, thanked DeWine in a post on X post for signing the bill into law.

Also, the President of the Center for Christian Virtue said the law is a “win” for “common sense” as it will help protect the children.

“Common sense is on a winning streak in America today,” he said in a statement.

“No student should be forced to go into the bathroom or locker room with a student of the opposite sex, and Ohio’s kids are better protected now because Governor DeWine decided to sign this bill,” he added.

However, restrictions don’t apply to school employees, emergencies or people assisting young children or someone with a disability and schools are at liberty to provide single-use and family facilities.

Ohio is not the first state to enact this law. The law is already active in 12 states. However, it is the first state to pass the law since President-elect, Donald Trump, won the presidential election.

Trump had in the campaigns promised to stop the gender-affirming care programme of the Joe Biden-led administration.

Last year, DeWine vetoed legislation that banned gender-affirming care for minors and blocked transgender girls and women from playing female sports.

A group, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio at the time, sued the state on behalf of two transgender girls and their families but a Franklin County judge ruled in August that the law could take effect. The lawsuit is ongoing.

Speaking on the recent development, ACLU spokesperson, Celina Coming said the organisation is “closely considering next steps” on the bathroom law.

“Transgender people are part of the fabric of Ohio; our families, our workplaces and our neighborhoods.

“Every Ohioan deserves the freedom to be loved, to be safe, to be trusted with healthcare decisions and to access the facilities that align with their gender identity.”

U.S Gov Signs Bill Barring Transgender Students From Public Bathrooms is first published on The Whistler Newspaper