Kentucky Senate Republicans have passed a bill allowing teachers to refuse to use transgender students’ preferred pronouns, a move that has been criticised by the Democratic opposition and advocates for trans rights. The bill was framed as a way of defending free speech, with Republican Senator Max Wise arguing that staff should be allowed to use “fixed facts” about students. Wise’s running mate in the upcoming Kentucky gubernatorial election, Kelly Craft, is one of a dozen Republicans competing for the party’s nomination in May. The bill would prevent teachers from being compelled to use non-conforming pronouns.
Opponents, including Democratic Senator Karen Berg, whose trans son Henry Berg-Brousseau committed suicide in 2019, criticised the measure. Berg argued that using preferred pronouns is a “simple accommodation” that can significantly benefit children’s mental health. Democratic Governor Andy Beshear argued that the bill would exacerbate bullying and accused Republicans of playing “political pawns”. Other provisions in the bill would allow education leaders to disclose students’ information to their parents and require parents to review sexuality instruction materials before their children are exposed to them.
The passage of the bill follows a controversial year in which numerous US states have debated issues relating to trans rights. In Idaho, a similar bill was blocked by a federal judge in August 2020. However, in other states, such as Tennessee and South Dakota, lawmakers have passed measures banning the participation of trans students in certain sports. These moves have been criticised by activists, with the Human Rights Campaign arguing that they pose a threat to the safety of trans people.
