As digital communications associate, Sarah Parkin develops and manages the cross-platform digital communications and social media strategy for the ACLU of South Dakota and is responsible for generating content that is engaging, up-to-date and results in measurable action.

It doesn’t infringe on anyone’s rights to share spaces with those who are different. But by signing House Bill 1259 into law, Gov. Rhoden is putting vulnerable trans youth at risk for abuse and harassment.

Efforts to childproof the internet not only hurt everyone’s ability to access information, but also give the government too much leeway to go after speech it doesn’t like. We’re disappointed that our elected officials aren’t protecting our First Amendment rights.

It’ll be déjà vu all over again in the House State Affairs Committee tomorrow afternoon as lawmakers are scheduled to debate two discriminatory anti-transgender bills similar to legislation proposed and defeated in previous sessions. 

This vote should serve as a reality check for South Dakota lawmakers who want to use public schools to religiously indoctrinate students. Public schools are not Sunday schools.

Making an honest mistake with someone’s name or pronouns will always happen, but instances of misgendering or calling someone by the wrong name cannot be immune from school discipline when they cause a substantial and material disruption or create a hostile educational environment.

By signing onto this amicus brief, South Dakota is sending a message of exclusion to children in our state directly impacted by Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship and to the many others who will have their citizenship questioned because of their race or who their parents are.

It’s no secret that some of the state's elected leaders have tried over the years to disenfranchise the voting rights of residents who use mail-forwarding services. But it’s vitally important that people be allowed to exercise their rights to vote and to travel – without repercussions to either.