News & Commentary

Gov. Daugaard's Veto Protects the Health and Safety of Transgender Students in South Dakota

By Chase Strangio, Staff Attorney, ACLU LGBT & HIV Project

The 2016 legislative session is well underway and the most-ever anti-LGBT bills have been introduced in states across the country. Dozens of bills in half the states threaten the livelihood of LGBT people. In many states, vulnerable transgender young people are singled out for discrimination.

Sioux Falls, S.D. - Today the Senate Education Committee voted to pass HB 1008, a bill that would single out and stigmatize South Dakota transgender students and force them to choose between isolated accommodations or those that do not correspond to their gender identity. The bill now advances to the full Senate for consideration.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota - The American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota announced today the expansion of their office with the addition of two new positions. Jen Petersen has been promoted to Communications Associate and Stacey Burnette has been named Administrative Coordinator.

Calling all students: it's pop quiz time! Let's find out if you know your religious freedom rights at school. Imagine the following scenario: an assembly is about to take place at a local public school. It features a youth minister who preaches to students and a rock band playing religious songs. Several atheist students feel uncomfortable going to the assembly because it will include prayer. Their teacher tells them they can just watch a movie during the assembly period instead. 

When listening to the stories of transgender students one thing becomes abundantly clear: they just want to live their lives like everyone else and be treated respectfully. That’s why creating a law that treats these students differently from their peers and further stigmatizes them isn’t sensitive – it’s hurtful.