Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said Friday morning a new restroom policy from the federal government will be the end of public education if it is allowed to prevail.
Media accounts indicate that the federal government will soon announce that schools must allow transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice instead of the bathroom that corresponds with their biological gender. Schools refusing to do so risk losing federal funding, according to the reports.
“We will not sell out our children for 30 pieces of silver,” Patrick said.
Patrick told superintendents statewide to ignore the federal policy when it is officially unveiled and instead do what “70 to 80 percent” of students and parents want – which is to leave gender specific policies in place for use of restrooms and locker rooms.
“I hope the superintendents are listening,” Patrick said. “Stand up against the federal government. Stand up for the families.”
“You don’t have to enact it now. You don’t have to enact it in the fall,” he said.
When questioned about the specifics of how school districts would enforce gender specific restrooms, Patrick told news reporters Friday morning that he did not yet have all the answers.
“We will work our way through this,” Patrick said. “This is very new.”
Patrick indicated the state might well take the issue to court to challenge the federal government.
He also said, “This is upheaval for no reason.”
Lubbock ISD released a statement. CLICK HERE to see it.
