Locker room privacy - just common sense

While I understand that in today’s culture there are males who identify as female and vice versa, like most Montanans, I am strongly opposed to boys and men being allowed to use girls’ and women’s locker rooms. It’s just common sense that school girls should not be required to shower alongside boys and men. We cannot let political correctness become more important than our privacy, safety and dignity, especially in public places where we undress. I, for one, want to see those values protected.  

Here’s a little history on why this is an issue right now in Montana: In the 1970s, Congress passed Title IX for the explicit purpose of providing equal educational and athletic opportunities for girls and women. When concerns were raised at the time about whether this law would mean schools couldn’t have separate dorms, locker rooms and showers for guys and gals, Congress responded by writing specific protections that allowed schools to provide locker rooms and changing facilities based on biological sex. 

Ironically, the very law that was passed to protect girls and women’s equality back then is now being used against us. In fact, last year the Obama administration claimed in a “Dear Colleague” letter that Title IX actually requires boys and men be allowed to shower and change clothes alongside girls and women. Fortunately, a federal court stopped the Obama administration from enforcing their interpretation of Title IX, and President Trump rescinded the letter, explaining that this is an issue best left to the states. 

That’s why I’m thrilled that Rep. Carl Glimm of Kalispell launched the Montana Locker Room Privacy Act this week. The bill states that in government-owned buildings like schools, separate facilities must be used according to a person’s biological gender. While maintaining a baseline of privacy across the state, it also specifies that local schools can craft compassionate solutions when there are special circumstances. The part of this bill I like best is that if it passes both the House and the Senate in the Montana Legislature, it will go to a vote by the people of Montana in the 2018 election.

I’ll end by saying that my teenage son recently commented that it’s hard enough to dress down in a locker room full of guys, he couldn’t imagine how awkward it would be if there were girls in there, too. Although we most often focus on how women and girls will be affected by this issue, it clearly impacts guys as well. Once again, it’s just common sense to protect the privacy, safety and dignity of every Montanan. 

If you agree with me that the Montana Locker Room Privacy Act is a good idea, please contact your representative and senator today and let them know.

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Lisa Russell is the development director of the Montana Family Foundation. She lives in Laurel, Montana.