On Thursday, the Alabama state legislature passed a bill that would prohibit transgender students from using public restrooms that are not compatible with their gender identities. If the bill is signed into law by the state’s Republican governor, it would also restrict teachers from discussing sexual orientation or gender in K-5 classrooms.
In the beginning, the bill contained only restrictions on restroom use for transgender youth. Republican legislators who supported and sponsored the discriminatory bill did so under the guise of protecting childrenEspecially young girls.
However, there have been numerous studies that show otherwise. there are no dangers at allWhen it comes to allowing transgender student to use bathrooms that correspond to their gender identity, Actually, the reverse is true. Transgender students are at greater risk from restrictive bathroom bills. harassment, sexual assault and violenceWhen they are forced to use the wrong restrooms.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Alabama condemned the legislation, describing it as being discriminatory and “in violation of the United States Constitution and Title IX of the Civil Rights Act.”
“This legislation is part of a systematic and growing attack on trans people, particularly trans youth, in all aspects of life,” the organization said in a statement.
Democratic lawmakers criticized the Republican-sponsored legislation for being cruel to trans students.
“We’re turning into bullies to these kids and it’s not a good feeling,” said Rep. Napoleon Bracy (D).
As the bill was being debated, lawmakers added another amendment at the last minute — a rider that would ban teachers in K-5 classrooms from discussing issues related to sexuality or gender identity, similar to the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation that was recently signed into law in the neighboring state of Florida.
Sally Smith, executive director of the Alabama Association of School Boards, said that the amendment wasn’t necessary, as such topics aren’t brought up in those grades to begin with. But the amendment would still be harmful to LGBTQ kids, she added, as it “could make it even more difficult for school faculty to create safe environments for some students and families.”
Now the bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey’s (R) desk for consideration. Based on recent political ads by her campaign that target trans kids in the state, there’s a high likelihood that she will sign the bill into law.
This week, the Alabama legislature also passed a bill that would criminalize the provision of gender affirming care to transgender youth — treatment that can often be life-saving. If Ivey signs it into law, it will become law. would create the strictest regulations on such care in the country– banning treatment for individuals under the age of 19 years and punishing nurses and doctors who provide such care with up 10 years imprisonment.
“If passed and signed into law, Alabama will have the most deadly, sweeping, and hostile law targeting transgender people in the country,” trans lawyer Chase Strangio said.
