ACLU Warns Tennessee Schools About Transgender Bathroom Access

NASHVILLE (WDEF) – The American Civil Liberties Union is sending a letter to every school district in Tennessee on bathroom access for transgender students.

It says that equal access is required by federal law.

“Transgender students are a part of our communities and our schools, and they should be treated with dignity and respect just like everyone else,” said Hedy Weinberg, ACLU-TN executive director. “Schools have a duty to ensure that all students, including transgender children, can learn in a welcoming and harassment-free environment.”

The letter comes to counter advice from the Alliance Defending Freedom.

The group also says that a new bill before the legislature that would require a student to use the sexual identification on their birth certificate.

The ACLU says the bill could open Tennessee up to lawsuits.

“We all want to protect students’ safety and privacy,” Weinberg continued. “Hundreds of school districts around the country allow transgender students to use facilities based on their gender identity. There is no data of any kind to support the contention that these policies undermine student safety. Indeed, these policies actually enhance safety by ensuring that schools are not sending the message that it is okay to target or stigmatize transgender students.”