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It’s just a bill, Part 27,483

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Illinois

Courageous Lawmakers Fight for Student Privacy
Written By Laurie Higgins

State Representative Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) introduced the bi-partisan Pupil Physical Privacy Act (HB 4474), which if passed would require the following:

[A] school board to designate each pupil restroom, changing room, or overnight facility accessible by multiple pupils simultaneously, whether located in a public school building or located in a facility utilized by the school for a school-sponsored activity, for the exclusive use of pupils of only one sex. Defines “sex” as the physical condition of being male or female, as determined by an individual’s chromosomes and identified at birth by that individual’s anatomy.

Signing on as co-sponsors are John D. Anthony (R-Morris), Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield), John M. Cabello (R-Loves Park), C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville), Mary E. Flowers (D-Chicago), Jeanne M. Ives (R-Wheaton), Dwight Kay (R-Glen Carbon), Sherry L. Jesiel (R-Gurnee), Bill Mitchell (R-Decatur), Reginald Phillips (R-Charleston), David Reis (R-Olney), Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake), and Keith Wheeler (R-North Aurora). Who knew Illinois had this many wise and courageous leaders willing to endure the deceitful epithets hurled at anyone who dares to dissent from the foolish views espoused by “progressives”?

If we lived in a rational society committed to sexual sanity, such a bill would be wholly unnecessary, and anyone who sponsored such a bill would be thought of as daft. But we don’t, and therefore the bill is necessary. These lawmakers deserve many thanks for their courage and wisdom.

* From Equality Illinois…

Joint Statement on Stopping Discrimination Against Transgender Students

January 22, 2016

We stand with transgender and gender nonconforming students in Illinois and denounce the blatantly discriminatory bill recently introduced in the Illinois House by Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine). HB-4474 would force transgender and gender nonconforming students to use separate bathrooms and locker rooms and that’s plain wrong.

Not only does this bill promote fear mongering, but its sponsor appears to be out of touch with what is happening in education. More schools across Illinois, and across the nation, are adopting humane policies that respect and affirm all students, including students who are transgender and gender non-conforming. This practice has been endorsed and encouraged by noted researchers and leading authorities on education and student development, all of whom encourage the recognition and support of transgender students and how they wish to express their gender identity in a safe, responsible, and dignified manner.

HB-4474 would compel many schools who are dealing with this issue in a sensitive way, educating their schools and the public about what it means to be transgender, and fostering a sense of community and acceptance on their campuses to reverse those policies and create unnecessary division and segregation.

The Department of Education recently issued a set of very strong findings, in a complaint brought against suburban Chicago District 211, which found that denying a student who is transgender access to an appropriate restroom or changing area is in violation of federal law, specifically Title IX. Rep. Morrison’s bill would force schools to operate in conflict with that finding, at the risk of losing critical federal funding. With these factors in mind, this does not result in sound and responsible public policy, especially considering the budget challenges facing the state.

The real harm is not just for transgender students but all students regardless of their gender identity. It promotes bullying, gender policing and body shaming – all practices that hurt all students and can be devastating for transgender students trying solely to get the good quality education they deserve.

This bill also feeds into the false narrative that sex and gender fit neatly into a binary model and it should not see the light of day. As organizations that work exclusively or significantly with LGBTQ communities, we encourage the State of Illinois to use its resources to advance supportive and inclusive work that moves all Illinois residents toward full equality.

Sign-On Organizations

Affinity Community Services
AIDS Foundation of Chicago
American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois
Association of Latino/as Motivating Action (ALMA)
Center on Halsted
Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus
Chicago House and Social Service Agency
Chicago Youth Storage Initiative
Equality Illinois
Howard Brown Health Center
Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health
Illinois Safe Schools Alliance
La Casa Norte
Lambda Legal
Pride Action Tank

Whatever your position, this is mainly just lots of heat over a bill going nowhere. Democratic super-majorities and a governor who has shied away from traditional social issues mean it’s doomed.

Both sides will raise money on it, but in the end this bill is DOA.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 9:42 am

Comments

Haters gonna (take every opportunity to fire up the right-wing base by appealing to their ignorance and) hate

Comment by South of Sherman Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 9:49 am
A preoccupation with who uses what toilet has a long history on the far right. It was a featured argument against the Equal Rights Amendment and was a central pillar of Jim Crow.

This, of course, is completely different.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 9:51 am
==If we lived in a rational society committed to sexual sanity, such a bill would be wholly unnecessary, and anyone who sponsored such a bill would be thought of as daft.==

Thankfully, no one will view the sponsor of this bill as daft. /s

What’s “sexual sanity”?

Comment by AC Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 9:58 am
What’s with politicians in Palatine? Is it something in the water…like Flint?

I really hope that it’s just a political fundraising method. It just seems that the continued preoccupation with these issues that eminates from that geographic area can’t be overcome. Those supporters of the bill must surely know that it runs contrary to the existing law and the spirit of laws and to the attitudes of the wider community in the 21st century.

Weird…..

Comment by northernwatersports Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 10:02 am
There’s probably something that could be done here with “Chromosomes” and Paul Simon’s “Kodachrome”…

“When I think back on all the —– I took in high school……”

Nah…. it’s just a bill.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 10:07 am
Honestly thought this was sarcasm: “Who knew Illinois had this many wise and courageous leaders willing to endure the deceitful epithets hurled at anyone who dares to dissent from the foolish views espoused by “progressives”?”

Had to go back and reread to figure out it wasn’t.

Comment by Educ Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 10:17 am
wisdom and courage is caring more about the kids at the bathroom door than at schoolhouse door?

Sorry we underfunded your education and there’s no help for you to go to college but we were focused on what happens in the potty.

Comment by LizPhairTax Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 10:23 am
Sadly, it’s not just a bill. Sure, for various reasons it won’t go anywhere. But this type of symbolic legislation is not just a waste of paper. In this time of budget crises, job woes, and the Atlas-shrugged-style grinding to a halt of the functionality of the state, these lawmakers have managed to find the time to tell gender-questioning children that they don’t respect them and they’re identity crises are of no concern.

This is more than just a bill. It’s a message.

Comment by Ferris Wheel Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 10:26 am
@MisterJayEm - spot on! *slow clap*

@Educ - Me either. I truly didn’t take it seriously at first.

Comment by Ferris Wheel Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 10:33 am
Congrats to those courageous conservatives for standing up to big transgender.

Comment by Carhartt Representative Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 10:37 am
Wow, okay I didn’t expect to go into this issue but here we go.

A dear friend of mine is a transgendered man. He is one of the best parents of three kids that I know. (two of them he gave birth too before transition and one he fostered then adopted). Honestly I aspire to his level of parenting. He is married to a woman and have an incredible relationship as well. He is a civic leader. He was the President of a church congregation and is one of the most fun people to be around. He really is an inspirational human being.

It’s true, I had to grow and develop as he went through his transformation. I am glad I got that opportunity. I am so enriched by my friendship to him. I have to admit though his transition did challenge me at first. I was lucky that he is such an incredible human being. It’s impossible not to like him. I wish legislators could meet him. He’s not a freak. He looks oddly enough exactly like Chaz Bono. (He even has a picture with him. They met at a national Transgender advocacy event)

I know this is a difficult thing for many people to accept. I only wish people could have had the experience I did. I am an strong advocate for self-differentiation (Google it with Murray Bowen for details). My friend is entirely different from me and yet I truly aspire to his parenting ability. We need to cultivate more self-differentiation in this world. We wouldn’t be facing a Trump Presidency if we did.

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 10:48 am
What a productive use of time /s

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 11:04 am
Call me old fashioned I suppose, but why a “transgendered” person cannot go to the bathroom that was assigned to him/her by their birth anatomy is, and always will be lost on me.

Comment by Saluki Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 11:06 am
“Call me old fashioned I suppose, but why a _______ person cannot go to the bathroom that was assigned to him/her by their birth _____ is, and always will be lost on me.”

Civil rights MadLibs.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 11:14 am
Mary Flowers and Jeann Ives have their names on this bill so you know it is a good one. /s

Basically a sign that either the Apocalypse is upon us or the Cubs are guaranteed a World Series with this year.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 11:15 am
Saluki — it’s because they can get harassed, assaulted, and murdered. Other than that, no problem.

http://fusion.net/story/185799/2015-transgender-women-murdered-underreported/

Comment by vibes Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 11:27 am
I support the rights and dignity of our transgender students. The authors and supporters of this bill are so behind-the-times. Keep up!

=A preoccupation with who uses what toilet has a long history on the far right. It was a featured argument against the Equal Rights Amendment and was a central pillar of Jim Crow.=

Comment by Up North Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 11:51 am
Its that time of the year. Next up prayers in school,pledge of allegiance,followed by a quick course in political correctness.

Comment by Blue dog dem Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 11:57 am
perhaps the bill could be altered to define which water fountains and where one can ride on a bus based on clearly defined chromosones…. wonder what happens if your chromosnes are not clearly one or the other…. we need to get back to making decisions based on the size of the brain pan….

Comment by Ghost Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 11:58 am
=”These [narrowminded] lawmakers deserve [appalled sighs and pity] for their [blatant discrimination and willingness to hurt young men and women].=
Fixed it.
#DOA
#LittleRock

Comment by Up North Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 12:19 pm
When we are all really enlightened we will have co-ed showers supervised by teachers of all genders.

Comment by Liberty Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 12:25 pm
Saluki, rather than dismiss your question, let me give an example. Suppose a 9-year-old transgender boy (i.e., designated ‘girl’ at birth, but diagnosed as transgender) cuts his hair short, takes a ‘male’ name, dresses in boy clothes, and in all respects presents as a boy. In order to start fresh, the family moves to a new school and enrolls their boy. According to this bill, this person with a boy’s name, wearing boy’s clothes, known only as a boy to his classmates and teachers, would be required to use a girl’s bathroom. Or a single-person bathroom.

Can you imagine the impact on that child? And to what end? I don’t know about you, but I never saw another student’s genitals in the bathroom in my 13 years of schools. I can’t imagine that a transgender boy is going to be going out of his way to display his.

Comment by Rasselas Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 12:41 pm
Good lord, it must be election season.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 12:46 pm
“Both sides will raise money on it, but in the end this bill is DOA.”

That says it all!

Comment by Federalist Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 12:59 pm
Rasselas- where did you go to school? We had state mandated PE with open showers from 7th grade through high school. You stripped walked 50 feet to the shower while the PE teacher made sure everyone showered. The boy’s locker room had open toliets with no doors.

Comment by Liberty Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 12:59 pm
@Liberty

I went to school in Chicago Public Schools - we never had to strip!! Only during the weeks we had swimming was showering very regular, and most of us just did enough to rinse off the chlorine. I can’t imagine having to parade naked in front of all my classmates - not to mention the teacher! Regardless of the issue of transgender, that sounds scary!

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 1:27 pm
About one in every 1,000 babies is born XXY — that means thousands of children in Illinois public schools. Is every child getting blood-tested at the door for chromosomal make-up? Does every Klinefelter’s child get their own bathrooms and showers built?

Comment by Will Guzzardi Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 1:42 pm
I for one wish this would be the standard… While I believe there are some who are confused as to what is or is not between their legs, it is my opinion that the media and hollywood have done more harm by sensationalizing this issue…

There are two Genders - Male & Female just as God intended.

Comment by Allen D Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 1:50 pm
** - Anonymous - Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 1:27 pm: **

I went to school in Alton and if you had PE, you sweat, a lot. We played baseball, basketball, soccer, flag football, lifted weights, wrestled… you name it and you took showers before going back to class stinking….

only on days that were free play and games did we not take showers.

Comment by Allen D Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 1:53 pm
=There are two Genders - Male & Female just as God intended.=

Thanks for asking him. I had wanted to get his opinion, but I didn’t want to waste his time with trivial matters.

Comment by Carhartt Representative Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 2:09 pm
This is definitely a damaging message to students as they evolve their sense of identity.

It is often a misconception that biological sex in humans is pretty clear cut from an anatomical and genetic perspective. In reality it is not that simple. There are several naturally occurring conditions where individuals will not have the standard XX or XY chromosome pairings. Even the law is biologically flawed because you can be XY and develop anatomically as a sterile female if you have androgen insensitivity syndrome where the body essentially doesn’t respond to testosterone. Which restroom should they use. The list goes on.

More importantly that inner sense of self identity is much more complex. I work in a high school that supports a number of students who don’t identify themselves within the narrow constraints of male or female. We have developed ways to make sure that ALL students can find comfortable access to restrooms and locker rooms.

Comment by Biology Teacher Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 2:43 pm
Organizations with “family” or “liberty” in their title are too often concerned about only their families and their liberty.

Comment by veritas Friday, Jan 29, 16 @ 2:47 pm