A service of Salisbury University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Transgender Bathroom Bill Gets Approval by Virginia Legislative Committee

creative commons

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A legislative panel has approved a bill that would require students to use the bathroom that corresponds with their biological sex.

The Daily Press reports that the bill would mandate that school systems and state agencies adopt policies designed to keep transgender people from using the bathroom of the gender with which they identify. 

The House General Laws subcommittee endorsed the bill Thursday.

Opponents said transgender people should be allowed to use the bathroom of their choice. Supporters called it a common sense measure that would address parents' concerns.

A transgender student in Gloucester who was born female sued after his school board barred him from using the boy's restrooms. A federal judge ruled against him in September and his case is being considered by a federal appeals court.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.