The Ohio Senate has passed legislation prohibiting transgender students from using bathrooms matching their gender identities, sending the measure to Governor Mike DeWine for approval.
The Republican-backed bill mandates that public K-12 schools and higher education institutions provide separate facilities for males and females based on “gender assigned at or near birth.”
Exceptions apply for emergencies, staff, and those assisting young children or individuals with disabilities, while single-use and family bathrooms remain permissible, AP reports.
State Senator Jerry Cirino, a Republican from Kirtland, defended the bill, stating it “is about safety and security.”
However, the ACLU of Ohio has condemned it, urging the governor not to sign and arguing it “will create unsafe environments for trans and gender non-conforming individuals of all ages.”
Jocelyn Rosnick, the ACLU’s policy director, highlighted the risks transgender individuals face, noting, “This bill ignores the material reality that transgender people endure higher rates of sexual violence and assaults, particularly while using public restrooms, than people who are not transgender.”
A 2019 Pediatrics study linked restroom restrictions for transgender teens to higher rates of sexual assault, with 36% of respondents reporting such incidents.
The Center for Christian Virtue praised the legislation, calling it a “huge victory for children and families in Ohio,” according to Policy Director David Mahan. Governor DeWine has indicated he is inclined to sign but will conduct a legal review first.
Senate Democratic Leader Nickie Antonio criticised the bill’s priority, stating, “This bill is not about bathrooms. It’s about demonizing those who are different, and our children are watching and listening to the fearmongering.”