LGBTQ

A restroom area under construction at a new middle school in Lexington drew the attention of several Kentucky lawmakers Tuesday during a legislative committee meeting, leading some to consider potential legislation to prevent other schools from following a bathroom model for gender-neutral spaces.

Critics say the law puts trans youth at risk of rejection, while proponents say parents have a right to know if their children ask to go by other names or pronouns at school. In recent years, Tennessee has passed other laws prohibiting trans youth from using the school bathroom or playing on the sports team that aligns with their gender identity.

Originally, the rule was set to be implemented on August 1, but a stay from a federal judge in Kentucky blocked the rule in Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Virginia and West Virginia.

Former Republican state Rep. Bob Heleringer told a committee room of lawmakers Tuesday their plans to limit “adult-oriented” businesses unfairly targets LGBTQ+ communities.

Tennessee’s attorney general is leading 16 other states in opposing a federal proposal that would require LGBTQ foster kids be placed with families or facilities that are supportive of their identities.

Under the new law, which has been criticized as one of the worst anti-trans bills in the country, this school year is different for public school students across the state who identify as queer or transgender.

SB 150 also limits discussion of gender identity and sexuality in schools, bans use of bathrooms that align with a transgender student's gender and prevents schools from recommending or requiring teachers use the pronouns that match a student’s gender.

Supporters of trans kids being able to get puberty blockers and hormone therapy argued that it is safe, necessary health care that's backed by every major medical group.

Identity politics and culture war talking points were again at the forefront during the annual Fancy Farm picnic in far western Kentucky Saturday, as the state’s fall campaign season unofficially kicked off in the small Graves County community.

Kentucky Education Commissioner Jason Glass says he’d rather leave his job than be charged with implementing new restrictions on transgender students under Senate Bill 150.