NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – State lawmakers want to sue the federal government over a directive President Obama sent out last week.
Obama said public schools nationwide must let transgender students use the bathroom of the gender they identify with. If they don’t, federal dollars could be in jeopardy.
Sen. Mark Green from Clarksville wrote a letter to the governor asking him to follow in North Carolina’s footsteps and sue.
“It was with incredulity that we heard of the latest overreach of this federal administration,” the letter said. “They have no legal authority to direct schools to accommodate students with gender identity disorder at the expense of the mentally healthy enrollment.”
He told WKRN News 2 by phone the president’s directive is a safety risk to Tennessee’s female students.
Green is among 26 lawmakers who want transgender students to use the public school bathrooms of their sex at birth.
Sen. Tracy, of Shelbyville, told News 2 he’s also afraid the directive puts female students at risk.
Gov. Haslam said last Friday he wants local school boards to decide what bathrooms their transgender students can use.
RELATED CONTENT School board ‘reviewing’ transgender bathroom policy
Transgender students applaud directive on bathroom access