North Dakota governor Doug Burgum signs a bill ignoring transgender pronouns and restricting bathroom use, turning it into a law that takes effect immediately.
The newly signed law allows public school teachers and government employees to misgender transgenders.
North Dakota Passes Law Ignoring Transgender Pronouns
The Republican governor of North Dakota, Doug Burgum, has approved the new law, according to NBC News. His office says it lets teachers and government workers ignore gender pronouns. The North Dakota law lets teachers and government employees misgender their transgender students and co-workers.
The new law, which takes effect immediately, also requires public school teachers to inform parents or legal guardians of students if they start identifying themselves as transgender.
The Hill reports that the law passed the North Dakota legislature, which GOP representatives control, last April. Although the governor signed the measure, the bill received a staggering majority vote, making it veto-proof. In other words, it will most likely turn into law even without the approval of the Republican governor.
Despite that, Burgum strongly supports the bill. In a recent statement, the Republican politician says the newly-signed law protects free speech.
He argues that it "largely codifies existing practices while reaffirming the First Amendment right to free speech." On top of that, the North Dakota governor claims that the new measure also helps balance the rights of parents, teachers, and students.
New Law Restricts Bathroom Use
Besides the rules that allow teachers and government employees to ignore gender pronouns, the new legislation also restricts the bathroom use of transgenders. The North Dakota law prohibits transgender students from entering restrooms based on gender identity. The new measure also bars them from using locker rooms of their choice.
Burgum previously vetoed a similar bill last March over "concerning language." This time, he assures his constituents that the new version no longer has this issue.
The Republican governor vetoed Senate Bill 2231 since it prohibits teachers and government workers from recognizing the gender identity of students and co-workers. Burgum states that the rule might attract lawsuits against the state of North Dakota. Above and beyond that, he says that it would also push public school teachers to be a "pronoun police."
The new version now only allows teachers and government employees to ignore gender identities rather than prohibiting them. The state has already passed eight laws that primarily focus on targeting the right of LGBTQIA people in North Dakota, the American Civil Liberties Union revealed.
Last month, North Dakota joined other states in banning gender-affirming medical care for transgenders under 18. The Guardian notes that 45 states have already passed a similar measure.
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