Post by Logan on Jun 5, 2016 21:31:09 GMT -6
This morning (May 31), Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick – who has led the charge against Ft. Worth ISD for its transgender inclusive policies – announced the next steps in his crusade against transgender rights. Patrick is requesting a legal opinion from fellow anti-LGBTQ state official Attorney General Ken Paxton to see if the ISD’s guidelines, which allow transgender students to use the restroom facility that corresponds to their gender identity, are illegal and whether or not Superintendent Kent Scribner had the authority to adopt the policy. Patrick signaled he and other lawmakers would delve into the transgender restroom issue during the next legislative session (but in what capacity is unclear). "When we have a rogue, runaway superintendent, and a rogue, runaway school board, then the Legislature this session will have to look at this issue," said Patrick during a Tuesday morning Capitol press conference. “… This fight is just beginning.”
Additionally, the lite guv plans to send a letter to Texas ISDs urging them to ignore the Obama administration’s recent directive for school districts nationwide to promote transgender inclusive guidelines. Earlier this month, he vowed to forgo billions in federal education funds in exchange for disobeying the feds. Today, he reiterated the state will not be “blackmailed” by Obama. Adding fuel to the fire, last week AG Paxton, along with 10 other states, filed suit to challenge the federal administration’s LGBTQ-friendly instruction.
The Chronicle asked Patrick if he believes transgender students deserve equal rights. In an answer underscoring his ignorance (willful or otherwise) about gender identity, Patrick said, “Transgender students deserve the rights of everyone else, but that does not mean they have the right to use the girls' room if they’re a boy.” The Chronicle followed up by asking Patrick if he personally knew any transgender residents. He admitted to not knowing any transgender people on a “personal basis.”
Outside the Capitol, LGBTQ allies and four parents of transgender youth responded to Patrick with their own heartfelt, intimate stories of struggles their children faced – including tantrums, depression, bullying, and thoughts of suicide and death – during a counter press conference, hosted by advocacy group Equality Texas. With candor, they also revealed overcoming their own prejudices and confusion about gender questioning. Holding up pictures of their children, they accused state officials like Patrick of stoking anti-trans hatred with dangerous rhetoric that places their vulnerable children in greater harm. One mother slammed the state for using transgender children like hers in a “literal pissing contest” and as pawns in a political game.
Read more: www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2016-05-31/dan-patrick-ignore-obamas-transgender-policy/
Additionally, the lite guv plans to send a letter to Texas ISDs urging them to ignore the Obama administration’s recent directive for school districts nationwide to promote transgender inclusive guidelines. Earlier this month, he vowed to forgo billions in federal education funds in exchange for disobeying the feds. Today, he reiterated the state will not be “blackmailed” by Obama. Adding fuel to the fire, last week AG Paxton, along with 10 other states, filed suit to challenge the federal administration’s LGBTQ-friendly instruction.
The Chronicle asked Patrick if he believes transgender students deserve equal rights. In an answer underscoring his ignorance (willful or otherwise) about gender identity, Patrick said, “Transgender students deserve the rights of everyone else, but that does not mean they have the right to use the girls' room if they’re a boy.” The Chronicle followed up by asking Patrick if he personally knew any transgender residents. He admitted to not knowing any transgender people on a “personal basis.”
Outside the Capitol, LGBTQ allies and four parents of transgender youth responded to Patrick with their own heartfelt, intimate stories of struggles their children faced – including tantrums, depression, bullying, and thoughts of suicide and death – during a counter press conference, hosted by advocacy group Equality Texas. With candor, they also revealed overcoming their own prejudices and confusion about gender questioning. Holding up pictures of their children, they accused state officials like Patrick of stoking anti-trans hatred with dangerous rhetoric that places their vulnerable children in greater harm. One mother slammed the state for using transgender children like hers in a “literal pissing contest” and as pawns in a political game.
Read more: www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2016-05-31/dan-patrick-ignore-obamas-transgender-policy/