Tennessee 'Bathroom Bill' Unnecessary After Trump Administration Action: Lt. Gov.

NASHVILLE, TN — Lt. Gov. Randy McNally said Tennessee's so-called "bathroom bill" is "not needed" after the Trump Administration's reversal Wednesday of Obama-era guidance on transgender students.

The "bathroom bill," sponsored by Rep. Mark Pody and Sen. Mae Beavers, both Wilson County Republicans, would require Tennessee school children use the bathroom that corresponds with their sex at birth. That was contrary to guidance offered by the Department of Justice and Department of Education under President Barack Obama, which said that transgender students are covered under Title IX, essentially extending protections against discrimination based on sex to transgender people.

However, Wednesday night, the departments reversed that guidance, saying that the issue of determining which bathroom children should be using is a state matter. For updates on the General Assembly and other local news that affects you, find and subscribe to your local Middle Tennessee Patch.

At his usual Thursday press availability, McNally, an Oak Ridge Republican, said that, in fact, it's really more of a local government issue.

"I think leaving it up to local districts to handle on an individual basis would be best. They're responsible to the people in that county or that city and I think that's handled best at that level," he said.

Gov. Bill Haslam has taken a similar position in the past.

Nevertheless, Pody said he would press on. Beavers did not return a request for comment.

Image via State of Tennessee