The Florida Board of Education unanimously passed new rules requiring all public and charter schools to provide bathrooms and locker rooms separated by biological sex after a divided public hearing Wednesday.
The move comes months after the passing of a Gov. Ron DeSantis backed bill spearheading legislation that banned discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity for kids in kindergarten through the third grade in the state.
The new bathroom regulations also mandate schools notify parents if they offer bathrooms and locker rooms that are not sorted by biological sex and outline their supervision procedures for them.
“What this rule does is make sure that if a school implements a policy or procedure for specific designations for locker rooms or bathrooms or dressing rooms that parents have a right to know,” said Florida Interim Education Commissioner Jacob Oliva.
“And that we are transparent about the procedures that are happening in our schools.”
Roughly 40 members of the public signed up to speak both for and against the regulations, with opponents asserting the rule will stigmatize transgender students.
The Florida Board of Education passed new rules requiring public and charter schools to provide bathrooms and locker rooms separated by biological sex. Christopher SadowskiAnother speaker said the rules were not necessary.
“This proposed rule has been designated to intimidate school districts from following federal guidance, making schools less safe and adding fuel to a politically motivated crusade against LGBTQ+ youth and their families,” said Nikole Parker of Equality Florida.
“We need to stop the stigma, and these ridiculous bathroom predator myths,” she said. “Inclusivity, love and acceptance is what our transgender and LGBTQ+ students need. Not separation and hate.”
Supporters of the measure said that parents should be fully informed about all school policies that impact their kids.
The Florida Board of Education’s decision comes months after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the controversial Parental Rights in Education bill — called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by critics. Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP“Hiding a policy from parents only indicates the bad intentions of its nature,” one backer told the board.
Another parent asserted that the rules would bolster the rights of biological girls.
“During a period of their lives when they are most uncomfortable with their bodies we are setting aside their rights,” she said. “Forcing biological girls to undress in front of biological males is wrong.”
Florida has become a central battleground over matters related to schooling and gender identity. De Santis’ bill banning discussion of gender identity for younger kids drew ire from the LGBTQ commuinty.
Supporters said such material is inappropriate for young children, while objectors argued that it stigmatized the LGBTQ community.
