Senate Bill Would Require Transgender Students Use Biologically-Based Bathrooms

Intro:	The Missouri Senate proposed forcing transgender students out of their current school restrooms.
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Wrap: Debi Jackson, the mother of transgender girl Avery, said her daughter feels safer using the woman's restroom.

Actuality:	JACKSON.WAV
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Description: Her fear of someone yelling at her, calling her names or even hurting her for simply using the restroom meant that some days she wouldn't use the restroom outside of her home at all. Her fear and anxiety were almost crippling.

Bill sponsor and Republican Senator Ed Emery said the measure is made to protect students and their privacy.

North Carolina has suffered from lawsuits, lost business expansions and cancelled entertainment events over a similar measure also including public agencies' bathrooms.

Over thirty people spoke against the measure.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.

Intro:	Republicans say keeping students in their biological bathrooms is for safety and privacy.
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Wrap: Lamar Senator Ed Emery said Missouri would be best served by not having kids share bathrooms with children of the other biological sex.

Actuality:	EMERY.WAV
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Description: It is in the best interest of students and our public institutions to separate genders, especially when we have them in certain stages of undress.

Opponents said the measure would put transgender students at more risk of bullying and assault.

An identical measure by Emery did not get a hearing last session.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.

Intro:	A thirteen year old transgender girl was in tears defending her choice of bathroom.
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Wrap: Samantha said moving to Missouri made her feel safe around her friends and teachers until recently.

Actuality:	SAMANTHA.WAV
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Description: Knowing that there might be a change in the law saying that I would have to use a different restroom is horrifying for me. It shuts me down in every single way.

Republicans said the measure would protect students who feel unsafe sharing bathrooms with transgender kids.

An overflow room was opened to hold all viewers of the hearing.

Reporting from the state Captiol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.

Intro:	A Senate bill would no longer allow transgender students in their bathroom of choice.
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Wrap: Another hearing room was required to hold the audience for the bathroom bill.

The measure would require transgender students to use the bathroom that matches their biological sex or an individual gender-neutral restroom.

Supporters say students need safety and privacy, and transgender students in their bathrooms would take that away.

Opponents say taking away a transgender student's prefered bathroom would lead to bullying and anxiety.

An identical measure did not have a hearing last year.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Jack Morrisroe