Arkansas Lawmakers Want to Make Using ‘Wrong’ Bathroom a Sex Crime

GOP Senator Reportedly Considering Anti-Trans Amendment to Sexual Indecency Law

A Republican state senator in Arkansas is reportedly considering legislation that would make it a sex crime for transgender people to use public restrooms according to their gender identity. 

According to a report in The Arkansas Times, a reliable source indicated that GOP Sen. Missy Irvin (photo) plans to introduce the anti-trans “bathroom” amendment on Thursday, by tacking the proposal on to a minor bill aimed at clearing up a problem in a sexual indecency law.  

“The amendment, by the source’s account, says anyone who is caught in a bathroom whose gender doesn’t match their birth certificate will be charged as a sex offender,” the Times reported.

But John Brummett, a reporter for ArkansasOnline.com, reported Thursday morning on Twitter that lawmakers were backing away from the idea, but they should expect it next year:

Because the issue is not on the agenda for the special session that begins today, the amendment would require two-thirds support to be considered. 

On Wednesday, Rep. Irvin praised an Arkansas legislative panel that approved a resolution urging the state’s public schools to disregard the Obama administration’s directive requiring them to allow trans students to use the restrooms of their choice. 

The resolution also cites state sovereignty in calling for the U.S. Department of Justice to withdraw its lawsuit against North Carolina over HB2, and expresses support for recent statements about the issue from GOP Gov. Asa Hutchison and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. 

“In my district as well as many of yours, our constituents are angry at this attempt by the federal government to push this social experimentation on our children,” said GOP state Rep. Stephen Meeks, the author of the resolution. 

Last week, Hutchison urged Arkansas school districts to “disregard the latest attempt at social engineering by the federal government,” calling the directive “offensive, intrusive, and totally lacking common sense.”  

 

This is a developing story, and this post will be updated as new details become available. 

 

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