Columbus, Ohio: The Ohio Statehouse has made some changes to legislation that targets restrooms. A plan called House Bill 183 calls for the installation of single-sex restrooms in schools and universities.
It might compel trans people to use the restroom or locker area based on the gender they were assigned at birth rather than the one they identify with. The bill’s sponsor proposed some changes at the legislature this year.
What Information Is Required
- The legislature is still hearing testimony from both proponents and opponents of the bill, which was introduced last spring.
- House Bill 183 may mandate the construction of single-sex restrooms in K–12 schools, universities, and higher education facilities.
- Young children who use the restroom with their parents, people with disabilities, caregivers, emergency personnel, and judicial employees are all exempt from the bill.
“It’s a really personal matter,” according to Ohio public school teacher Steve Scherer.
Scherer, who has worked as an educator in Buckeye State for more than 25 years, claimed that he has never physically encountered a problem with the public school system’s use of public restrooms. He informed Spectrum News 1 that all students must use a restroom while attending class.
Scherer remarked, “I feel like I’m sending you to the restroom because they’re only going there.” “We’re never thinking about, ‘Are they going to this washroom?’ or that restroom.”
Individuals may be required to use restrooms and locker areas in institutions built for the gender they were assigned at birth, according to a plan at the Ohio Statehouse. It is applicable to K–12 universities and institutions of higher learning. Additionally, it mandates that those institutions designate single-sex restrooms in their structures. Adam Bird, a Republican state representative, claimed that the bill was put forth at the university administrators’ request.
“Most people aren’t comfortable with a boy using the girls’ restroom, so we’ll make sure they’re safe for our kids,” Bird remarked. “I don’t understand why that’s so difficult to understand.”
According to Dr. Kelly Kohls, senior producer of the National School Boards Leadership Council, “I know that’s happening across the country where people are invading the personal spaces.” “And whenever the girls say someone is in there, they always say, ‘Hey, there’s a man in there.’ ‘Hey, I’m scared to death.’ ‘Hello, I’m unable to use the restroom.’ ‘I am unable to go to my locker area.’ They’re being completely ignored and dismissed. Therefore, we no longer have any advocates for women’s rights.”
Scherer contends that this policy may harm teachers’ relationships with their students and have an impact on their mental health. He claimed that having to tell the students to use different infrastructure after working with them every day would have an impact.
“When these students are already at risk, I feel like they are being targeted by the act,” said Scherer. “Additionally, you are already harming these students’ mental health because of a bill that specifically limits them.”
The bill, according to Minna Zelch of Trans Allies of Ohio, however, goes too far in separating individuals.
Zelch stated, “We have transgender students in our institutions. They’ve been around forever, and trans people have always needed to use the restroom in public places. This only serves to increase the level of judgment placed on people.”
The legislative process for House Bill 183 may continue while it is still in the House Higher Education Committee.
