The Republican-dominated Senate in Tennessee has passed a proposal that would require all public and private educational institutions with overnight students to have separate bathrooms based on “immutable biological sex”. The legislation is the latest in a series of efforts targeting the LGBTQ community in the state, with similar laws in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Ohio, and Utah. Two more states, West Virginia and Wyoming, have laws coming into effect this year.
Republican Gov. Bill Lee is expected to sign the bill, which would take immediate effect. The bill was inspired by parents who objected to their daughter sharing facilities with a transgender student at a summer program. Tennessee already has laws prohibiting transgender students and staff from using public school bathrooms or locker rooms that match their gender identities.
Last year, Tennessee Republicans passed measures allowing LGBTQ foster children to be placed with anti-LGBTQ families, and penalizing adults who help minors access gender-affirming care without parental consent. They have also banned gender-affirming care for most minors and tried to limit the appearances of drag performers at events.
The legislation has faced criticism from LGBTQ activists and Democratic lawmakers. Sen. Heidi Campbell expressed concern about the focus on a small part of the population. Despite objections, the bill is expected to become law, continuing the trend of anti-LGBTQ legislation in Tennessee.
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