Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen has proposed a new bill that will prevent all citizens in Minnesota from having access to restrooms, locker rooms and dressing rooms that are designated for the opposite sex, including transgenders. This new transgender bathroom bill in Minnesota has caused an outrage from some parents and lawmakers and support from others.
The authors of the transgender bathroom bill noted that the proposal's aim is to protect the privacy of each individual, Fox 9 reports. However, opponents of the bill say that the proposal is actually a form of discrimination against the LGBT community.
Rep. Yarusso: “This bill treats my son like a dog, because he can’t pee inside of a public accommodation." https://t.co/UunYVIzbMv
— FOX 9 (@MyFOX9) April 13, 2016
Supporters of the transgender bathroom bill emphasize that allowing transgenders to enter restrooms and dressing rooms of the opposite sex can be abused by non-transgender citizens. "Over the last summer I encountered a biological male in the women's locker room watching women shower and typing on his phone," Kate Ives, a parent, stated in support of the bill via Fox 9.
Opponents of the transgender bathroom bill say that there are actually no such cases documented. "I want to live my life, and this guy wants to call me a rapist so that he can win some seats on the state and national level," attorney Catherine Crowe, a transgender, commented on the bill.
The transgender bathroom bill has a very big obstacle in its path. Gov. Mark Dayton has publicly opposed a similar bill in North Carolina and another bill in Mississipi which allows religious organizations and business owners to deny certain services to the LGBT community. ABC News also reports about a delay in the movement of the controversial proposal due to financial issues in the implementation of the bill.
