The  highly debated Gender Neutral bathroom law has been  discussed nationally for awhile now as to whether or not the law should be passed. On May 11, 2016 eleven states have sued President Obama’s administration over the issue of transgender bathrooms, Texas being the first. The states are suing Obama’s Administration because they feel that students, regardless of their gender identity should be allowed to use the bathroom they feel most comfortable using. In a recent May interview Federal officers stated that the lawsuit was still being reviewed and more information would be available at a later time. The issue over Unisex bathroom has caused great safety concerns for cisgender women and children, and very little safety concerns for transgender women who get harassed in bathrooms more often than not. In a recent Los Angeles study, 70% of percent of transgender individuals stated being harassed verbally and mentally while using the restroom. Obama  defended transgender bathrooms on June 1st by saying “order is based on law”. Obama ordered that public schools allow transgender students to use whichever bathroom they feel most comfortable in and fits their gender identity. The Federal Government also got involved saying that schools would not be allowed discriminate against anyone for not conforming to the gender on their birth certificate. Obama’s administration spoke out again by saying that if any school does not abide by these laws that they would revoke federal funding for that school.

In response to the states suing president Obama , Obama stated that there are a lot of things “more pressing” than the so-called transgender bathroom policy, including the economy, ISIS and he encouraged that “We should deal with this issue the same way we would want it dealt with if it was our child and that is to try to create an environment of some dignity and kindness for these kids,”. Though many people are voicing their opinion on the issue, Obama said that the laws are in place and everyone should be awarded the same rights because “What happened and what continues to happen is you have transgender kids in schools. And they get bullied. And they get ostracized. And it’s tough for them…My best interpretation of what our laws and our obligations are is that we should try to accommodate these kids so that they are not in a vulnerable situation.” Obama said as he addressed the outlook he believes everyone should have on issues such as these.

Though the legislation is a world wide issue there are many individuals in our own community who are affected directly and there are many who have a lot to say about this issue. “If transgender individuals are forced to use a unisex bathroom then they are being forced away from society are are being secluded. So I think that they should be allowed to use whatever bathroom that they want, but they have to stick with it, they cannot can go back and forth between bathrooms. Its not like people are going to know if you are biologically a man or woman or not. ” stated Vanessa Myers, a West Bloomfield High Junior. “I believe that individuals should be allowed to express themselves in the bathroom of their choosing without being harassed or reprimanded. I do not think that transgenders should be treated as an insect or a pesticide that is not allowed to associate with the rest of society. People get too butt hurt over issues like these because they do not understand it”, stated Allyssa Pufahl a West Bloomfield High School Junior.

There are many myths going around about his Legislation that are highly inaccurate and are wrongly informing people who are uneducated about the topic.

• Myth: A transgender woman is just a cross-dressing man.
• Fact: A transgender individual is someone whose gender identity is through and through part of their true identity. A cross dresser is someone who is doing the act of wearing opposite sex clothes, but this is not the same as their gender identity. Thus making this a myth.
• Myth: This is unsafe for women and children.
• Fact: This bill does not ease any restrictions on assault of any kind. Any behaviors that are currently threatening or illegal towards anyone, not just women and children, will still be illegal.
• Myth: This bill allows for predators and perverts access to bathrooms and locker rooms.
• Fact: This bill does not permit a predator or pervert access to a bathroom or locker room; it is only allowing a transgender person access to all public accommodations. A predator or pervert is not being given access with this law. If a predator or pervert tries to gain access to an opposite sex bathroom or locker room, that is already against the law.
• Myth: This bill allows people to use the bathroom that the gender the associate with, not the gender they are.
• Fact: There is a big misunderstanding on the difference between gender and sex. Gender is what it is to be psychologically male or female and sex is what it is to be biologically male or female.

For information regarding the legislation, or to get educated on the topic please click here