A group of students is organizing a protest in Sioux Falls following the passage of House Bill 1008. It’s known as the transgender bathroom bill.
The legislation is on the Governor’s desk. Those backing the bill say it protects people. They say it keeps students of the same biological sex in the same school bathrooms and locker rooms. Opponents call the bill discrimination that threatens the civil rights of transgender people.
Hattie Seten is a senior at Sioux Falls Lincoln High School and an organizer of the event. She says lawmakers who back HB 1008 are on the wrong side of history.
“With the transgender bathroom bill we have students in our public school systems that are being discriminated against. And, this is a civil rights issue, because, transgender rights are civil rights. And that’s why it’s very important we show our legislators that we need to be on the right side of history as well as we need to stand up and up-hold the rights of our fellow classmates,” says Seten.
The students plan to meet and protest prior to a local legislative coffee. The plan to peacefully protest during the event on Saturday, February 20th in Sioux Falls. Organizers say over 500 people have now agreed to attend the event on social media.