Only a quarter of those polled said they personally know a transgender person, however, and a majority said they don’t fully understand what it means to be transgender.
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The group “OutFront Minnesota” said they’d like to see the legislature advance issues that make the state better for all people.
“I came to (John Austin) because I felt that if the State Board of Education were able to propose guidelines statewide, it would enable more districts to avail themselves of resources that frankly have existed for 15 years”, said Joseph, who teaches fifth and sixth grade at Birmingham Covington School.
MA is trying to pass two bills, House Bill 1577 and Senate Bill 735, which would add transgender people to the list of protected classes and allow for public accommodation, such as washrooms, “consistent with the person’s gender identity”.
Over the last month, bills with language seeking to make it illegal for transgender youth to use restrooms and other facilities consistent with their gender identity were vetoed in South Dakota, but signed into law in North Carolina – where lawmakers are facing serious backlash. I think it’s discriminatory. “I didn’t shave. I tried to look like a man dressed up like a chick”. I try to determine in advance if the bathroom is a single-stall or multiperson facility. I don’t dislike any people at all.
That “bathroom predator” talking point is a myth. Law enforcement experts and people who work with victims of sexual assault have called it “beyond specious” and “the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard“.
It is not surprising to me that this legislation has caused such a heightened reaction from both sides on this issue.
“Transgender children and transgender people – they’re everywhere”, said Dr. Henry Ng, an internist-pediatrician in Ohio. “Well, I can, as long as I don’t drink any water”, Lane said. For every person who has been negative or hateful, there have been just as many who have expressed support.
Other transgender testifiers told of feeling hurt and excluded when they were required to use the bathroom of their birth sex and not their assigned gender.
“It’s wrong. I should not be discriminated against anymore than you should be”, Lane said. It’s this reality that gives me hope, that allows me to have faith that those who speak – and legislate – with hate will not be victorious.
Porn viewers in North Carolina are going to be in for a disappointing surprise the next time they hop on the internet for a little porn viewing pleasure.
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Deutsche Bank is joining PayPal in canceling plans to expand in the Tar Heel state. Younger people and minorities provided some of the strongest support for extending protections to gays, lesbians and transgenders, while conservatives and evangelicals were the staunchest opponents.
