LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Senate passed a bill that would allow teachers to misgender their transgender students by a vote of 29-6 on Thursday.
Senate Bill 150 would also require schools to give parents a two-week notice before any lessons on human sexuality and allow them to opt out.
On the Senate floor, the bill's sponsor, Sen. Max Wise (R) said he wanted to clear up what he calls misinformation about the bill.
"It does not prevent students from requesting identification by a non-birth conforming pronoun nor preventing staff or students from addressing those students with non-conforming pronouns," he said.
Democratic lawmakers argued against the bill; one even called it the meanest piece of legislation she's seen in her 19 years.
Sen. Karen Berg (D), whose transgender son took his life last year, said schools accommodate children with allergies or special needs and using one's correct pronouns is a simple accommodation for children who are transgender.
"This is a simple accommodation, this accommodation that costs you nothing, zero to implement, not a penny of state money goes towards this," she said.
Johnathan Lowe is a father of two transgender children from Louisville. He said he knows kids will be directly impacted in "devastating ways."
Lowe believes the bill strips away, what for many vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth, is a safe haven in schools.
"I had a child text me last week and say, If I'm outed to my parents, and they don't want me anymore, can I come stay with you? Like that's real this is life or death," Lowe said.
In a statement, Senate Majority Communications Director and spokesperson Angela Billings said the following about SB 150:
"SB 150 is about the process and parameters around communication with parents, teachers and students. It provides for First Amendment protections for those within the public school system, including our teachers. In light of the misconception about this legislation, Senate Bill 150 does not target or condemn any particular community.”
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Lowe said, intentional or not, many lawmakers in support of the bill are ignoring research and data.
"There's good research that shows every time a kid has a space in their life— whether it's home, or with friends, or at church, or in school— where they are appropriately gendered, and are honored and cared for, they are much, much less likely to attempt suicide," he said.
Studies have shown that LGBTQ youth already face higher health and suicide risks than their cisgender or straight peers.
According to the Trevor Project, 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year.
It also found nearly 1 in 5 transgender and nonbinary youth attempted suicide.
The bill now goes to the Kentucky House of Representatives for a vote.
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