California’s Brown to decide bill on sexual identity in schools

[Amelia Pond]

California's Brown to decide bill on sexual identity in schools
August 02, 2013

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/features/article/californias-brown-to-decide-bill-on-sexual-identity-in-schools

California would have the first state law permitting elementary and high school students to use bathrooms and join sports teams based on their gender identity, rather than their biological sex, under a bill going before Governor Jerry Brown.

[TiaNadiezja]

He ended up signing this, right?  He'd better have... I voted for him.

[Amelia Pond]

Opponents of bill for transgender students deliver petitions
Sharokina Shams, Aug 08, 2013 7:30 PM PDT

http://www.kcra.com/news/opponents-of-bill-for-transgender-students-deliver-petitions/-/11797728/21396282/-/d46s5xz/-/index.html

Gov. Jerry Brown has just five days to decide whether transgender students should be allowed access to school bathrooms, lockers and sports teams based on the gender they most identify with, rather than on their biological sex.

Lawmakers passed AB 1266, the bill allowing special access for transgender students, last month.

On Thursday, the bill's opponents delivered signed petitions to the governor's office, arguing that the bill is written so broadly that it could hurt some students.

"The greater concern though, is what teenage boys might do to take advantage of this law, pretending to be transgender just to get access to the wrong locker room or shower," said Matthew McReynolds, an attorney with the Pacific Justice Institute. "This bill asks the state to elevate the interests of half a percent over the privacy interests of the other 99 ½ percent. We think that's wrong."

[Jess42]

"The greater concern though, is what teenage boys might do to take advantage of this law, pretending to be transgender just to get access to the wrong locker room or shower," said Matthew McReynolds, an attorney with the Pacific Justice Institute. "This bill asks the state to elevate the interests of half a percent over the privacy interests of the other 99 ½ percent. We think that's wrong."

Wow, what a weak argument. I wonder what teenage guy would dress like a girl just to get an eyeshot of a naked girl? Most turn red if you even ask them if they have a girlfriend. I just can't imagine one going to great lengths to pretend to be transgendered and acting and dressing like a girl for an extended period of time just to go into the girl's restroom and locker room and sneak a peek. The potty police strike again with their high level of morals and supreme knowledge of right and wrong.

[Vicky]

Getting comments from my two daughters, and my ex wife, only about half of one percent of teenage girls would be upset by seeing Guy equipment in a highschool girls locker room.  That would even out the playing field according to this guys statistics.  Notice its a male name that is quoted, wonder how much time he spent in girl's locker rooms??

[matthewzguitarz]

The only thing I would be worried about is people faking trans like the above thingy says somewhere. But, I wonder how many people would fake being trans.... Probably not many people. But, I am neutral on it, since it doesn't effect me(homeschooled).

[Amelia Pond]

Focus On The Family: California Teachers Will Be 'Identity Keepers' For Transgender Students
ZACK FORD, AUGUST 7, 2013, 10:08 AM

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/08/07/2426461/focus-on-the-family-california-teachers-will-become-identity-keepers-for-transgender-students/

Focus on the Family continues to oppose inclusive policies for transgender students, encouraging those who agree to urge California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) to veto a bill that would create gender identity protections in schools. In a guest post from its California affiliate, the California Family Alliance, Focus on the Family argues that such protections will force teachers to become "identity keepers" for "confused" children:

At a time when California education is coming under fire for poor performance, this bill will create further chaos as teachers will be forced to become identity keepers for a small number of children confused about their identity. That confusion will be exacerbated as thousands of unsuspecting students will suddenly find themselves face to face with opposite sex peers in their bathrooms, changing rooms and showers.

[TiaNadiezja]

Having grown up in a right-wing evangelical family in the South, I realized fairly young that I needed to stop being surprised by Focus on the Family's deliberate ignorance.  There is no end to it.  It never, never stops.