State Legislatures Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Tennessee have already filed bills to ban transgender students from accessing restrooms according to their gender identity

NEW YORK – GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, released data on state bills restricting transgender student’s access to restrooms and other single-sex facilities on the one year anniversary of Secretary Betsy DeVos and Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ withdrawal of federal guidance that outlined how to protect trans students under Title IX, a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in public education.

“The Trump Administration has emboldened bullies in statehouses across the country by sending a clear message that they will not support or protect transgender youth in our nation’s schools, leaving them more vulnerable to legislative attacks,” said Zeke Stokes, Vice President of Programs at GLAAD. “Without federal support, it is exceedingly vital that the LGBTQ community and our allies double down to support transgender youth and oppose unjust legislation that promotes further discrimination, bullying, and violence.”

By walking back the Title IX guidance, the Trump Administration revoked a powerful tool for students to advocate for their rights and made it harder for students who face anti-transgender discrimination to win in courts, which often look to how federal agencies interpret laws. Additionally, just this month, the Department of Education confirmed to BuzzFeed that they will no longer investigate civil rights complaints filed by transgender youth who were banned from accessing restrooms that match their gender identity, assuring anti-trans lawmakers that they have the full support of the White House and the Department of Education when pursuing discriminatory legislation.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: 2018 Bills Restricting Transgender Students’ Access to Restrooms and Other Single-Sex Facilities

Kentucky HB 326: Prohibits transgender students from using restrooms and changing facilities that corresponds with their gender identity and would allow people to sue the school if they encounter a transgender student in the restroom.
*** This bill is based on model legislation drafted by the anti-LGBTQ hate group Alliance Defending Freedom.

Missouri SB 690: Requires transgender students to use restrooms in public schools according to the gender marker on their birth certificate.

Oklahoma SB 1223: Prohibits transgender students from using restrooms and changing facilities that correspond with their gender identity as defined by “anatomy and genetics existing at the time of birth,” and would allow people to sue the school if they encounter a transgender student in the restroom.
*** This bill is based on model legislation drafted by the anti-LGBTQ hate group Alliance Defending Freedom.

South Dakota HB 1296: A bill sponsored by legislators  who have previously supported anti-transgender legislation that would restrict transgender youth from accessing facilities that match their gender identity by requiring school boards to establish and make public policies that regulate what restrooms and locker rooms trans students must use.

Tennessee HB 888: Requires students in public schools and universities to use restroom and locker rooms in accordance to their original birth certificate.
  
Tennessee HB 2620/SB 2480: Requires the Tennessee Attorney General to represent school districts that target transgender students by adopting anti-trans restroom bans.

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