I would respect politicians a lot more if they just said what they mean and owned it. A good example is the transgender bathroom debate.
State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, introduced a bill this week that would require students to use the bathroom corresponding to their body parts unless parents give written permission, in which case they could use a staff toilet or unisex bathroom. Or maybe the Dumpster out back. Whatever. I don’t think it matters much to people like Casperson as long as it’s not near them. Eyew.
It’s pretty clear Casperson finds the whole idea of transgender students using whatever bathroom they feel most comfortable with to be icky.
But of course he didn’t say that. Politicians seldom come right out and say what’s on their minds because they’re smart enough to realize that a lot of the time what’s on their minds sounds thoughtless, mean and small.
Instead Casperson claimed his bill is – weirdly enough – primarily about parental rights: “The fact that they would allow a child to say ‘I don’t want my mom and dad to know’ that they’re taking such a big leap in life … is unacceptable.”
“They” is the state Board of Education, which is in the process of developing a voluntary policy to guide districts on how to make schools safe and supportive for gay and transgender students. (What an awful goal, right?)
The policy as outlined in a February memo isn’t specifically about the bathroom issue, nor does it talk about “allowing” or encouraging students to say, “I don’t want my mom and dad to know.”
In fact it doesn’t deal with parental notification or permission at all. What it says is “The unique needs and concerns of each student should be addressed on a case-by-case basis with a student-centered approach that includes the ongoing engagement of the student, the parent/guardian, as appropriate, and school personnel … per the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).”
It also says districts should “provide appropriate and meaningful family engagement and support. Since parental acceptance and family support are key determinants of LGBTQ student health, student support teams, staff, and community partners should provide resources to help families and students locate information, affirming counseling, and support services.”
And it also mentions this: “Research indicates that LGBTQ students, nationally and in Michigan, are targeted with physical violence and experience a hostile school environment more frequently than their non-LGBTQ peers” and that the state board is “committed to promoting a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment for all students.”
Casperson says his bill is about the well-being of all students, too, or as he put it, “I’m concerned about all the kids.”
But that’s obviously not true. By all students, he clearly means those who aren’t transgender, since his bill – as I mentioned – says that even with parental permission transgender students could only use a unisex bathroom, single bathroom or staff bathroom. And for off-campus activities students could only use facilities that correspond with their biological sex.
In other words, transgender kids won’t be treated equally at all.
But of course he doesn’t come right out and say that.
They seldom do.
Image credit: Mike Licht
You know there is a simple solution to all this. Make all bathrooms unisex and either remove the urinals or put stalls around them. Problem solved. I have never seen anybody in the men’s room walking around with their junk out, and I am sure the women’s is the same.
That’s what I said but no one listens. But hey let’s knock off that remove the urinals thing!
I actually liked the old troughs in the old tiger stadium.
Exactly!
And who is going to check the bathrooms and body parts? Bathroom police?
I know, right? This whole thing is ridiculous.
Tom Casperson can’t help Flint, but he can help himself to a state pay check for a waste of time and another stupid Bill. He is “Unacceptable”.
Ugh! I was hoping this nonsense would stay out of Michigan but should have known better; our track record on these issues is not great. When are these politicians going to understand that we neither want nor need them in our social issues.
I am one- thousand percent in favor of allowing all children to use the rest room that coincides with their gender identity , but let’s admit the topic gets a little dicey when we get to shower rooms. What’s our solution when biological male identifies as a female, is sexually attracted to females, but chooses do shower with the girls. Hmm. Maybe individual shower stalls for everyone will be the ultimate solution.
Yes, Mike. In the showers after football practices, we used to see even the Head Coach’s junk. But, ya know what? We centers and tackles probably would have been pretty interested if the Head Coach had been a girl or woman, back in the 1960s. But, now, maybe it does not matter. Head Coach with boobs? What do you think?
How sad that issues like this and other “minor” problems” (compared to the major world problems) take up so much attention. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people got so “up in arms” about the almost daily shootings and gun control issues? Maybe we’d actually get something accomplished.
Amen, Jeff. Amen
Why are we treating children as adults? Can a child really figure out their sexual identity at that age? Think about how mixed up you were at that age and we as adults want them to figure out their sexual identity. So if your a boy who thinks he’s a girl your going to use a stall, so use a stall in the boys bathroom and the same for a girl who thinks she’s a boy use a stall in the girls bathroom.
We are doomed if this is what matters the most in our society.
The Broadway Musical!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etsEa7TZwEQ
The transgender/bathroom issue arose in my Dad’s office some 25 years ago. They only had two small private bathrooms and a few women didn’t think a “guy” should use theirs. Dad asked for employee’s input then made both restrooms unisex. Since there were more women than men in the office unisex restrooms were more efficient. Amusing part to me is both restrooms were kept cleaner as a result since the concept of bathroom courtesy was addressed during the discussion.
I understand not being comfortable sharing facilities, I had only my Mom and two sisters at home and had to share latrines with dozens of men in the Army. I also spent a summer as a custodian at a brand new middle school and had to clean the girls gym locker room. Some of us are filthy creatures and I mean that with no specific gender specification.