Wisconsin Legislature Holds Hearing on Dangerous Bill Targeting Transgender Students

Yesterday, Thursday, November 20, the Wisconsin Legislature held an hours-long hearing on A.B. 469, a bill that seeks to single out transgender students in Wisconsin. The bill would prohibit transgender students from using facilities that correspond with their gender identity while at school, forcing transgender students to use restrooms and changing rooms that are either gender-neutral or correspond to the opposite gender. The bill would also reverse any school policies that have already enacted non-discrimination policies for transgender students in Wisconsin.

If the bill is passed, Wisconsin would be the first state in the nation to pass these sorts of restrictions, which go out of their way to target transgender young people and jeopardize their safety.

At the hearing yesterday, dozens of people testified against the heinous bill. Fair Wisconsin, the statewide organization committed to advocating on behalf of the LGBT community, live-tweeted the hearing. The bill saw opposition from a wide range of Wisconsinites, including state representatives, parents of transgender students, transgender young people, and the incoming president of the Wisconsin School Board Association.

Take action. Tell #WI lawmakers to reject #AB469 & protect #trans students: https://t.co/H1Vmv9ffey #wipolitics pic.twitter.com/ttGhsTClwc

— Fair Wisconsin (@Fair_Wisconsin) November 19, 2015

Hearing room is packed for #AB469 and the line of speakers and registrants is still out the door. #LGBT pic.twitter.com/OZNKPJNOvM — Katie Belanger (@katiebelanger) November 19, 2015

Current testifier: “#AB469 is about the taking away of local control. And creating problems when there are none.” #lgbt

— Fair Wisconsin (@Fair_Wisconsin) November 19, 2015

Trans person speaking now. Public mental health worker. Even just proposing legislation is hostile act. #AB469 — Kevin (@desjardins) November 19, 2015

Rep. Barnes: “#AB469 was drafted w/ help from Alliance Defending Freedom – an org that works to criminalize homosexuality around the world.”

— Fair Wisconsin (@Fair_Wisconsin) November 19, 2015

You can stand with Fair Wisconsin in opposing the bill here by contacting your legislator and urging them to reject this from ever becoming law.