COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Columbus City School Board voted unanimously to rescind its gender-affirming policy as the state’s “bathroom bill” is poised to become law next week.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost threatened possible legal action against districts that didn’t comply with the new law, which states people can only use restrooms inside school buildings that coincide with their assigned gender at birth.
“The Columbus City Schools Board of Education respects and values each of our students and staff members,” the board wrote in a statement. “The District remains committed to ensuring each student is empowered for success as a citizen in a global community, while also following the law.”
Columbus, the state’s largest school district, joins a growing list of districts that have either changed or need to change policy before the law goes into effect on Feb. 25. Columbus’ decision now means the district has no policy in place.
The law — Senate Bill 104 — requires academic institutions to set separate bathrooms, locker rooms, and overnight accommodations based on students’ “biological sex,” meaning the sex listed on a student’s birth certificate and it prohibits the construction of any all-gendered restrooms in schools. Single-stall bathrooms will not be changed and will remain unisex.
“There is nothing more distracting than needing to use the restroom while you’re in class and not being able to,” Columbus Alternative High School junior Austin Tapp said. “I’ve never had the obstacle. I’m one of the most privileged transgender students there could be. My school has mostly single-stall bathrooms, so if anyone has a big stink, no pun intended, about my existence in a room with four walls and a locked door, then big whoop.”
“Because of the opposition that came out and spoke today, it was very clear that the community supports the action that the board took,” parent Ryan McManus said. “There’s certain things that the school doesn’t need to get involved in, and they really need to just focus on education and that’s what they’ve done here tonight.”
A representative for Kaleidoscope Youth Center, which supports the community’s transgender youth, said they understood why the board made the decision it made.
“They have chosen the option that’s going to create the, the potential for the least harm coming towards our trans and gender variance students,” said Amanda Erickson, senior associated director of programs and operations for Kaleidoscope Youth Center. “Another option was leaving the original affirming policy, which would be directly defying state law, which could bring all kinds of consequences that could harm our entire district and all of our students.”
Columbus’ rescinded policy can be read below.
