An Ohio school board voted to reject a policy that would allow transgender students to use whatever bathroom or changing room facility they want rather than the room that agrees with a student’s biological sex.
The Lakota Local School Board shot down the proposed policy in a 3-2 vote late Monday night, according to Cincinnati.com.
“It’s poorly written policy, and it does not have legal support,” Board Member Todd Parnell said. “It’s a completely rushed and haphazard process coming up with this thing. We need to rewrite the thing and do it right.”
Some parents wanted the policy to pass, Cincinnati.com reported. “This is not going to go away,” said Linda Nix, the mother of a transgender student who graduated from the school. “It’s only going to compound. This should not be about politics, or about personal or religious beliefs. It’s about what is best for our district and for our students.”
Nix urged the school board to vote “yes” on the policy.
Lakota school district has more than 18,000 students, according to Cleveland.com
The conversation started in part after a 2014 incident where transgender Ohioan Josh (Leelah) Alcorn committed suicide by running into oncoming traffic after his parents insisted he receive Christian therapy. Alcorn’s parents had never heard the name “Leelah” until he left a suicide note under that name. The parents had refused gender reassignment surgery because they didn’t have enough money, according to CNN. (RELATED: Transgender Teen Sues Parents For Not Allowing Her Gender Reassignment Surgery).
Portland, Maine, public schools are also considering adopting new transgender policies requiring teachers to support the wishes of transgender students. Maryland schools also recently adopted progressive policies allowing students to use the bathrooms and locker rooms of their choice.
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