Advocates of transgenderism have yet another reason to be outraged.
On Monday, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, a Republican, signed House Bill 1522 into law. The new legislation will bar government entities — including schools — from adopting policies that require the use of so-called preferred pronouns for transgendered individuals, be they students or employees.
In addition, the new law will mandate the use of restrooms that coincide with a person’s biological sex, unless a parent or legal guardian specifically approves the use of a restroom of the other sex. The new law also prohibits schools from hiding a child’s so-called gender transition from parents or guardians.
The law was signed as an emergency measure, meaning it will take effect immediately.
“House Bill 1522 largely codifies existing practices while reaffirming the First Amendment right to free speech, requiring restroom accommodations, balancing the rights and interests of students, parents and teachers, and not including the concerning language from the previously vetoed and sustained SB 2231,” Burgum said.
In March, Burgum vetoed a similar bill, SB 2231, saying that it was too ambiguous and could open the state to lawsuits.
“The First Amendment already prohibits compelled speech and protects teachers from speaking contrary to their beliefs, and courts across the country have upheld these rights,” Burgum said at that time. “Ambiguity throughout this bill would invite lawsuits and put teachers in the precarious position of trying to determine how to refer to students without violating law.”
The House version of the bill must have cleared up those ambiguities in Bergum’s mind.
Like clockwork, North Dakota’s chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) attacked the new law, claiming that it was all about “ignorance, misinformation and a fear of transgender North Dakotans.”
“It doesn’t infringe on anyone else’s rights to share spaces with those who are different. Like previous efforts to expel people of color, people with disabilities, and others from communal spaces, these arguments for privacy and safety just mask a fear of difference,” claimed Cody Schuler, ACLU of North Dakota advocacy manager.
Schuler claimed that the new law was putting the lives of transgendered North Dakotans at risk.
“By signing House Bill 1522, Gov. Burgum is forcing transgender students to make the impossible decision of breaking the law or revealing their private medical information — not to mention the obvious risk of harassment and violence that comes with forcing transgender students into the facilitates that do not match their gender identity. It is quite clear whose privacy and very lives are really at risk now that House Bill 1522 is law,” Schuler noted.
“The fight for trans rights is not about ‘special rights’ — it’s about fundamental rights. It’s about fairness and equality for all,” Schuler concluded.
Is it not a fundamental right for a young girl to be allowed to use the restroom unfettered by the potential of a person with male genitalia in the stall next to her? The ACLU clearly doesn’t believe so.
While the ACLU’s statement didn’t explicitly threaten a lawsuit, one challenging the new law is very likely.
North Dakota is one of many states that have acted against unrestrained transgender ideology. Several states have enacted laws restricting the use of “gender reassignment surgery” or hormone replacement therapies for children. Last month, North Dakota became the fourth state to make such procedures on children a felony.
In addition, dozens of states have passed laws protecting women’s sports from intrusion from biologically male athletes. Some have banned youth involvement in drag shows, featuring males dressed up as hypersexualized females as well.
In the culture war, transgenderism is currently ground zero. It’s good to see that some states have taken the common sense side in that war.
