(The Lion) — Should males be allowed to use the women’s bathroom if they identify as transgender?
“No,” says the Montana House of Representatives.
The House voted 58-42 along party lines last week to advance a bill that would prevent males from using women’s facilities, regardless of so-called “gender identity,” according to Montana Public Radio.
If the proposal becomes law, it would prevent males from using women’s restrooms in public buildings, including schools, prisons and jails.
It would also allow people to sue facilities that violate the law. While the plaintiffs would generally only receive $1, the losing party would also have to pay the plaintiff’s legal fees, NBC News reports; the latter expense could cost violators thousands of dollars each.
State Rep. Kerri Seekins-Crowe, R-Billings, who sponsored the measure, said it would help make women feel safe.
“This bill is not about discrimination. It’s about protecting those things that have been eroding these last few years for women,” she told the Montana Free Press. “All this bill is asking for is reasonable accommodations.”
State Rep. Fiona Nave, R-Columbus, expressed a similar concern.
“Because of the destruction of societal customs, any predator or person with malicious intent can more easily invade private female spaces without calling attention to themselves,” Nave said.
Democrats in the Legislature disagree.
State Rep. S.J. Howell, D-Missoula (District 95), who identifies as non-binary, argued the bill invades the privacy of individuals. Rep. Zooey Zephyr, D-Missoula (District 100), who identifies as transgender, claims that males using women’s bathrooms is a non-issue.
“To me, trans people walk through the state of Montana afraid enough already,” Zephyr said on the Montana House floor. “And we want to be able to live our lives in peace.”
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, a Republican, supports the bill and has said he would sign it if it reaches his desk.
It’s unclear when the measure will come up for a vote in the state Senate.
Currently, 15 states have laws that require people to use bathrooms that align with their biological sex, not their gender identity.
