Senator Sponsors Bill Contrary To State Guidelines Regarding Transgender Kids And Bathrooms
LANSING (WWJ/AP) - A Michigan senator has introduced legislation that could stop transgender students from using bathrooms that don't match their "biological sex."
Sen. Tom Casperson, a Republican who represents a portion of the UP, unveiled a bill Wednesday that would offer accommodations to transgender students with parental consent. But the accommodation can't include a bathroom, locker room or shower used by students "of the opposite biological sex."
Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof says the legislation is not a priority for the Senate. It's been assigned to a committee.
The bill comes after some Republican lawmakers were outraged by draft guidelines from the State Board of Education that included recommendations on how to address transgender K-12 students. The guidance — in part aimed at helping districts comply with Title IX, Michigan's Gender Equity Act — would push Michigan schools to allow all students, regardless of parental or doctoral input, to choose their gender, name, pronouns, and bathrooms.
It's also been a little over a week since similar instructions were released on a federal level. The guidance from leaders at the departments of Education and Justice says public schools are obligated to treat transgender students in a way that matches their gender identity, even if their education records or identity documents indicate a different sex. This includes permitting transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their chosen gender identity.
While praised by some, including LGBT equality groups, others have spoken against the directive. One Detroit area superintendent called it a "huge overreach" by the federal government.
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