NEVADA: State Assembly Narrowly Rejects Anti-Transgender Students Bill

Via the Las Vegas Sun:

The Nevada Assembly rejected a bill that outraged transgender advocates and would have required students to use bathrooms corresponding to their biological sex. Assembly members voted against AB375 on a mainly party-line, 22-20 vote on Tuesday night. Five Assembly Republicans and all Democrats voted against the measure. The measure would require students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that corresponded to their biological sex, as well as require schools to provide separate facilities for transgender and intersex students.

The bill drew criticism from advocates who say it targets young transgender students and would open the door to lawsuits and possible discrimination. Democrats spoke out strongly against the bill before the vote, saying that it would lead to more bullying of transgender students, who face high rates of suicide. "This bill flies in the face of everything this Legislature should stand for, and it harkens back to a time when telling people they were different was accepted," Democratic Assemblywoman Heidi Swank said.

Yesterday was the deadline for bills to advance out of their chamber of origin, so the bill is dead for the current legislative session. (Tipped by JMG reader Christopher)