An Arizona lawmaker is bringing back a bill that addresses bathroom restrictions and pronoun usage for transgender students.
During the last few weeks of the presidential campaign, President-elect Donald Trump invested a significant amount of money in launching an attack ad against his opponent. The ad boldly proclaimed, “Kamala supports they/them, while President Trump supports you.”
Republican lawmakers seem to be feeling more confident and empowered following the election results as they prepare for the upcoming session at the capitol next month.
State Senator John Kavanagh expressed his opinion that the far-left, woke, Democrat agenda does not align with the beliefs of a majority of Americans.
Kavanagh, a seasoned Republican legislator from Fountain Hills, recently introduced two bills targeting transgender students in public schools.
Senate Bill 1002 now forbids the use of pronouns that do not correspond to a student’s biological sex. This restriction applies to teachers and other school workers.
Senate Bill 1003 restricts transgender students from using school bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender assigned at birth.
According to Kavanagh, when engaging in debates with individuals who oppose the bill, it is crucial to address the fact that it is not solely about bathrooms. It also concerns showers, where individuals are naked. Kavanagh urges opponents of the bill to consider this aspect and not shy away from discussing it.
Kavanagh spent over ten years attempting to pass his “bathroom bill,” but was unsuccessful in his efforts.
He was unable to provide any specific examples of schools where boys are allowed to shower with girls.
Kavanagh acknowledged hearing multiple reports about the pronouns but was uncertain about any shower issues. However, he emphasized that this doesn’t necessarily mean such issues couldn’t arise.
According to Jeanne Woodbury, a legislative lobbyist and transgender woman who is familiar with him, she admitted that while he may not be her favorite person at the capitol, they are able to collaborate on other matters.
“I’ve had numerous interactions with Kavanagh, and I must say, I don’t perceive him as a hateful person. However, I strongly believe that this legislation is not beneficial for my community. Moreover, I find it to be disingenuous,” she expressed.
According to Woodbury, Kavanagh’s actions are motivated by a desire to gain political favor in his conservative district, without considering the potential negative consequences for transgender students who may face increased harassment and bullying.
“I believe that this legislation is primarily aimed at creating a spectacle for political purposes, but it’s important to acknowledge that such theatrics can have tangible effects,” she expressed.