Ten states announced last week that they are suing the federal government over the recently issued rule insisting that students use the bathrooms and locker rooms according to the gender of choice. They join eleven states that have already filed a similar lawsuit.
In May, the US Departments of Justice and Education issued federal guidance to all public school districts in the country insisting they allow students to use bathrooms and locker rooms according to the gender of their choice — not their biological sex.
In response, the US Bishops’ committees for family life and education explained: “Children, youth, and parents in these difficult situations deserve compassion, sensitivity, and respect…All of these can be expressed without infringing on legitimate concerns about privacy and security. The federal regulatory guidance…does not even attempt to achieve this balance….We pray that the government make room for more just and compassionate approaches and policies in this sensitive area.”
Pope Francis has often condemned gender ideology explaining: “The complementarity of man and woman…is being questioned by gender ideology. The difference between man and woman is not meant to stand in opposition but is for the sake of communion and generation, always ‘in the image and likeness of God.”
Catholics across RI join the bishops and our Holy Father in standing for the truth about human nature. Christians and indeed all people of good will can only hope some sanity will be restored to our policies addressing a major cultural topic for the good of children and all society.
