A member of the Utah House of Representatives says even though there hasn't been a problem in the state's schools regarding transgender students' use of school restrooms, he's offering a solution anyway.
Rep. Michael Kennedy, a Republican and a physician by profession, has put forward HB87, which would essentially ban transgender students from using bathrooms designated for males or females. Instead, schools would be directed to provide "alternate bathroom accommodations" for kids whose "consistently-asserted gender identity" does not correspond to the bill's definition of gender. More on that definition in a moment.
Unsurprisingly, LGBT rights activists have denounced Kennedy's proposal. From the Salt Lake Tribune:
Brandie Balken, executive director of Equality Utah, said the proposal is "at least misguided and at worst cruel."
She said, "To require parents to provide proof of phenotype of a child to participate in school ... is an invasion of privacy."
It is inappropriate, Balken added, to isolate children over gender-identity issues.
Kennedy said last week in the Provo-based Daily Herald that his bill is a response to California's recently enacted AB1266, which among other provisions allows students to use bathrooms and locker rooms "consistent with his or her gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil’s records."
Kennedy told the Herald, "We are just trying to make sure people are comfortable."