Ohio Senate passes bill to restrict bathroom access for transgender students
The Ohio Senate voted Wednesday to ban transgender students from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity.
The GOP-backed legislation would require K-12 and college students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their sex assigned at birth, joining at least 10 other states with similar laws on the books. It also prohibits multi-occupancy gender neutral restrooms and prevents transgender students from sharing overnight accommodations with peers of the same gender.
The restrictions don't apply to school employees, emergency situations or people assisting young children or someone with a disability. Schools could still offer single-use and family facilities.
"It protects our children and grandchildren in private spaces where they are most vulnerable," Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, said. "It is us using our legislative authority to ensure schools are, in fact, safe environments."
A national survey conducted last year found 3.3% of high school students identified as transgender and 2.2% were questioning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Wednesday's vote took place months after House Republicans added the measure to separate legislation dealing with a college credit program. It also came on the heels of an election cycle dominated by ads nationwide that targeted Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and other Democrats for supporting transgender rights.
"It's really not about the bathrooms," Sen. Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, said. "It is about demonizing and frightening people, saying, 'There is a group of people that are different from you. They are not us.'"
The bill now heads to Gov. Mike DeWine, who previously said he would sign it as written. A spokesman for the governor said Wednesday that he's waiting to review the final version.
DeWine clashed with his fellow Republicans over a different law that bans gender-affirming care for minors and blocks transgender girls and women from playing in female sports. The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio continues to fight the ban on gender-affirming care after a Franklin County judge ruled in August that it could take effect.
ACLU of Ohio policy director Jocelyn Rosnick said the organization is "closely considering next steps" on the bathroom bill.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio lawmakers pass transgender bathroom bill
