DISD Board Member, Teacher Speak Out Against Bathroom Bill

DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – Texas state legislators will reconvene for a special session beginning next week to consider several issues, including the bathroom bill.

If the bill passes, it could only allow people to use the restroom specific to the gender on their birth certificate. At a rally Wednesday, Dallas ISD School Board Member, Miguel Solis spoke against the bill. He said he rejects all versions of the bill.

“They rob local school districts of local control and they marginalize and already marginalized community,” said Solis. “I can’t stand for that as a school board member who represents of 80,000 kids.”

Solis asked legislators to stick to issues that have more of an impact on the state. D.I.S.D. Johnny Boucher is transgender and said if passed, the bill could be harmful to the district and to students.

“I think that we would see people move out of public school if they had the option,” said Boucher. “I think we would see an increase in suicide, especially in teens.”

Boucher believes lawmakers are using the bill for political posturing.

“Many times, our legislators need to prove to their constituency how much they represent conservative family values,” said Boucher. “And in making this transgender issue a boogeyman it’s likening to say we are not people of faith or of character.”

Solis was joined by Resource Center CEO Cece Cox and other speakers at DISD headquarters speaking out against the bill. They discussed with the community other ways the district can support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning students and staff.

In 2010 with assistance from the Center, DISD adopted the first comprehensive anti-bullying policy in Texas that included LGBTQ students. In 2011, again with help from the Center, DISD adopted inclusive nondiscrimination language for students and staff.