Exclusive: Ohio's Republican lieutenant governor defended his state's recent enactment of a “bathroom bill” that would ban biological males from using women's restrooms, calling it a challenge in a country where Americans are united on the issue. He says it's part of a cultural shift.
”It's a sad situation that at this time of year we actually have to pass a law that says boys should go to the men's restroom and girls should go to the women's restroom,” Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted told FOX News Digital. spoke.
“But that's certainly true, because there are colleges and some high schools where the lines are blurred. And especially for young women, it's a safe place to go to the bathroom, to go to the locker room. You need to make sure you stay safe.'' Husted said. “And it's really incredible that we had to pass a law to ensure that. It's OK for boys, biological boys, to be in the women's locker room in this world. It's hard to believe that there are adults who think so.
Husted was reacting to the news that Ohio's Republican Governor Mike DeWine signed the Protection for All Students Act, dubbed the “bathroom bill,” after the state Senate passed the bill 24-7 on a party-line vote. .
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Lt. Gov. Jon Husted told Fox News Digital that Ohio's bathroom fees are “common sense.” (Getty Images)
The bill would apply to K-12 public schools and institutions of higher education. The bill would require schools to provide “dedicated” restrooms, locker rooms, and accommodations for men and women based on their assigned sex at or near birth, both in school buildings and in facilities used for school-sponsored events. is required to be specified.
Husted told Fox News Digital that the bill represents “common sense.”
“The fact that everyone thinks it’s okay to have a locker room where biological males can go into the women’s bathroom and biological males can go into the women’s locker room even though there are restrooms. People are really shocked,” Husted said. Said.
“If you go to Ohio State, it's common knowledge to most people. Everyone says to you, 'Is this really possible? How can a high school do something like this?' “In fact, my own daughters' high school has restrooms where boys and girls can go in at the same time,” he continued. “There are also separate toilets for men and women.”
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A person holds a trans pride flag during a pride march in New York City on June 25, 2023. (Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“This was something that the community opposed and the school board filed a lawsuit to be able to change the building code to build these restrooms. And despite all of that opposition. , the school board still proceeded with construction. But now we have a new law in Ohio that prevents that from happening.”
Ohio becomes the 12th state to repass a bathroom bill, but critics including the ACLU and LGBT activist groups voice of opposition Husted has indicated he will challenge the law in court, telling Fox News Digital that he is confident the bill will survive any legal challenges.
”This is based on a solid legal basis,” Husted said. “They go through a public hearing process and address all questions before drafting and passing the bill and sending it to the governor's desk. I went through a process,” he said.
“I am 100% confident that this will stand up to any legal scrutiny…I want to reiterate this that the adults in the lives of these children and young women have made clear their case for them. It's a shame that we have to pass laws because we should stand up. They shouldn't do that, and we don't need to pass laws,” Husted continued.
Husted told Fox News Digital that the bill “protects girls' privacy” and “is aimed at making sure they have a safe place to be.” He said people are starting to come together as members of both parties. A “cultural shift” regarding the issue of protection of biological girls in schools and sports.
”Husted said of the cultural change: “There absolutely was. That was part of the last election, and hundreds of millions of dollars were spent across the country on that in presidential and congressional races.” . Donald Trump and the Republican Party will support you, not “them.” ”
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Governor Mike DeWine speaks during a press conference on December 29, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Custer)
“We all saw the ad, that this ad was part of the conversation this past election, that people don't believe biological males should play women's sports. Everybody knows they don't believe biological males should be in the women's locker room or in women's sports,” Husted said.
“This was clearly one of the big issues that divided Democrats and Republicans. Republicans are standing up for these protections, and even Democrats are saying, 'Maybe we should reconsider this. Maybe we should too.' “I think we're starting to hear that.'' This is a little bit out of line,'' he concluded. “So I hope that blue states can show that they want to protect women's sports, that they want to protect women in the privacy of their restrooms and locker rooms. And that's exactly what we're seeing across the country. That's what I hope.'' ”
Fox News Digital's Michael Dorgan contributed to this report
