(JustPatriots.com)- Republican lawmakers in Arizona have introduced legislation that would forbid teachers from using a student’s “preferred pronouns” without the parent’s permission. John Kavanagh, a state senator-elect, pre-filed the legislation.
The proposed bill states that a student who is under eighteen years of age may not be knowingly addressed, identified, or referred to by a pronoun that differs from the pronoun that aligns with the student’s biology unless the school district or charter school receives written permission from the student’s parent.
A school district or charter school may not require an employee or independent contractor to address, identify, or refer to a person by a pronoun that differs from the pronoun that aligns with the person’s biology if doing so is in conflict with the employee’s or independent contractor’s religious or moral convictions, according to the proposed legislation.
According to Sen.-elect John Kavanagh, the legislation ensures parents are aware of their children’s choices.
So long as the parents have given their consent, Kavanagh said that under his bill, you could call a person by a different pronoun, or you can even call the person by a name associated with the opposite biological gender.
Kavanaugh refuted claims that the bill would harm students, saying that most parents only want to do what is best for their children.
According to him, transgender students frequently experience psychological stress. The condition known as gender dysphoria requires parental support and may even necessitate the parents referring the student to a doctor. If the school keeps the parents in the dark, this cannot happen.
Republicans maintained control of both chambers after the midterm elections, but on January 9, Democrat Katie Hobbs will succeed Republican Governor Doug Ducey.
Hobbs has previously voiced opposition to legislation that forbade minors in the state from undergoing gender transition surgeries and that prohibited students from participating in sports teams that did not correspond to their biology.
When asked if he believed Hobbs would sign the bill, Kavanaugh did not completely rule it out.
In particular, when the kids have a condition that causes higher suicide rates, he said, “I’m not willing to assume that Gov. Hobbs would want to keep parents in the dark.”
He believes parents should be informed and seek counseling and assistance for their kids. He won’t assume that the governor would be against that.
