TV personality Caitlyn Jenner has asked the governor of South Dakota to reject a legal measure which would ask students to use bathrooms based on their assigned sex at birth. She claimed that the law should protect transgender kids and not discriminate them.
The former Olympic decathlete known as Bruce Jenner asked Governor Dennis Daugaard to veto House Bill No. 1008.
Tell @SDGovDaugaard to protect trans kids by vetoing #HB1008. https://t.co/aui4kiIcD5
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) February 23, 2016
Along with the tweet was a link to a ACLU, petition website which expressed great opposition for the said bill. The Kardashian patriarch encouraged his social media followers to sign the petition to pressure Daugaard to reject the legislation.
For its part, ACLU specifically mentioned transgender Thomas Lewis, a student in South Dakota, who has stood up for his rights. "Before the Governor signs this awful bill that limits my rights. I think he should walk a few miles in my shoes," Lewis said.
On the other hand, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network Los Angeles chapter head Anthony Eftimeo told Huffington Post that this anti-trans bill will promote a "hostile" environment for transgender students. "A hostile school climate affects students' academic success and mental health," he added.
Once passed, the law restrooms, shower rooms and locker rooms in schools will be divided based on the biological sex of the students, ThinkProgress also explained. The same report mentioned that imposing this would endanger the eel being of trans kids in South Dakota. It is also expected to marginalize them and make them feel unsafe at school.
The governor has expressed his willingness to tackle this bill with the transgender community in South Dakota before he takes action, according to Sky News. However, he only has five days left to either approve or veto the bill since the senate already passed it earlier.
