Please, vote NO on HB2414 on Tuesday when it comes become the Education Administration and Planning Subcommittee.
The fact that the bill was not drafted by youth advocates is a cause for concern. The subcommittee needs to weigh fully the impact of the bill on transgender students. I believe that this bill would dramatically increase drop out rates and contribute to students in this vulnerable population taking their own lives. The subcommittee should also weigh the impact on school districts in terms of the thorny issues of enforcement.
Any amendment that allows gender neutral restrooms, but that prevents students from using other restrooms is also a problem. It segregates transgender and gender non-conforming students and draws attention to them, increasing the possibility that they will be bullied.
Thank you for considering my views.
