Bill Lets Students Cite ‘Sincerely Held Religious Beliefs’ to Not Share Restrooms With Trans Kids

Oklahoma Republican Lawmakers Declare War on Transgender Children

A “religious freedom” bill introduced by Republican lawmakers in Oklahoma Thursday would grant students the “right” to not share a restroom or locker room with any student whose birth certificate does not match the gender designation of those facilities. In short, transgender boys would have to use restrooms and locker rooms designated for girls, and transgender girls would have to use restrooms and locker rooms designated for boys. The discriminatory legislation, which unfairly targets transgender children, is likely unconstitutional.

Declaring an “emergency,” the bill would go into effect as soon as it’s signed into law.

SB 1619 is poorly worded, but states students “may submit to the board of education of the school district a request for a religious accommodation based on the student’s sincerely held religious beliefs. The accommodation shall be for the use of restrooms, athletic changing facilities or showers designated for the exclusive use of that student’s sex…”

Ignoring the federal government’s guidance to not discriminate against transgender students, the bill goes one step further, opening up the state’s coffers to anyone who wishes to sue, as it also mandates that the “Attorney General of the State of Oklahoma is hereby authorized to represent a school district or employee in a legal challenge to any federal regulation or mandate that requires the school district to implement [the] policy…”

While standard language for bills lawmakers wish to be implemented immediately, it’s impossible to ignore this final clause:

“It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.”

The legislation is sponsored by Republican Senator Brian Bingman and Republican House Speaker Jeffrey Hickman.

Also Thursday, Oklahoma Republican lawmakers filed a resolution calling for the impeachment of President Barack Obama for protecting transgender students.  

 

Image: The New Civil Rights Movement
Hat tip: Chase Strangio