South Carolina governor signs bathroom law that could force trans students into porta-potties

A South Carolina law signed by Gov. Henry McMaster designates multi-stall bathrooms and changing spaces at public K-12 schools and public colleges and universities based on sex assigned at birth. The requirement applies to school restrooms, locker rooms, and student housing, including overnight school trips and shared sleeping quarters. Single-user restrooms can be provided upon request. Accommodations may include a single-user restroom, temporary exclusive use of a facility, or a single-user portable restroom or changing facility. The ACLU criticized the law as endangering students and increasing bullying, harassment, and violence risks for transgender students. The ACLU also said Senate amendments allowed temporary outdoor facilities for transgender students, including porta-potties.

"The new law passed earlier this year by the South Carolina legislature segregates multi-stall bathrooms and changing spaces at public K-12 schools and public colleges and universities to be designated based on sex assigned at birth. That applies to school restrooms, locker rooms, and even student housing. The law also applies to overnight school trips and shared sleeping quarters. The law allows single-user restrooms to be made available upon request."

""We all care about safety and privacy for students; this law isn't about that. This law is about making life harder for a small group of students who already face higher risks of bullying, harassment, and violence," Woodrum said."

""Transgender people have always been a part of our communities. For decades, educators have ensured the safety and privacy of all students without banishing transgender young people," Woodrum said. "Just ten years ago, the state's Republican leaders considered laws like this to be unnecessary and harmful. Today, transgender people are an obsession for politicians who'd rather target vulnerable kids than solve the real problems we face.""

"According to the ACLU, in the course of advancing the bill, the South Carolina Senate amended it "so that schools can install a temporary outdoor facility for transgender students - in other words, a porta-potty.""

Read at Advocate.com