DePaul University reflects upon it’s polices as the ‘Bathroom Bill’ turmoil continues around the United States

CHICAGO — 11 states have filed a lawsuit against the Obama administration on May 25, in response actions taken regarding North Carolina House Bill 2. This brings the controversy from a local discussion to one the entire country in talking about and has students at DePaul University wondering where the university stands within the conversation.

‘Bathroom Bill’ Background

House Bill 2, commonly known as the ‘Bathroom Bill,’ was signed into law in North Carolina on March 23. The bill, among other requirements, states patrons must use the bathroom corresponding with the sex on their birth certificate.

The United States Department of Justice sent a warning on May 4 to North Carolina explaining the law violates Title VII of the U.S. Civil Rights Act and Title IX and therefore, could jeopardized billions of dollars in federal funding, giving the state a deadline of May 9 to repeal the bill.

North Carolina officials responded on the day of the deadline that they will not comply with the government’s requests. The state proceeded to file a lawsuit against the DOJ due to federal overreach.

The same day, the DOJ filed a counter-suit against North Caroline due to violation of Title IX and the Civil Rights Act.

Following the disagreement, the Obama Administration sent a letter to all public school districts in the country on May 13. The action directs public schools to allow transgender students to use bathrooms that match their gender identity.

It was in response to this action, 11 states filed a lawsuit against the Obama administration.

National Controversy at the Local Level

Chicago

Following these events, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel expressed his disagreement with the ‘bathroom bill,’ releasing a press release on May 18 introducing his plans to “protect residents from discrimination.” His measure would allow patrons to use the bathroom of which they identify with.

DePaul University

With events occurring across the country reaching Chicago, a dialogue on DePaul University’s campus has begun regarding the controversy, along with a reflection upon policies held at the university regarding bathroom usage and areas for improvement.

Kathy Weseman, LGBTQA Student Service Coordinator within the Center for Identity, Inclusion and Social Change at DePaul University explained DePaul policy.

“DePaul adheres to the guidance provided by the Department of Justice and Department of Education that Title IX is inclusive of gender identity and expression, meaning that transgender students must be allowed to use spaces such as locker room and restrooms that correspond with their gender identity,” Weseman said.

In addition, DePaul University added the Preferred Name and Gender Policy in February, which allows students to choose the name and gender they identify with. Once changed, this identification is then included on documents pertaining to the student.

Furthering DePaul’s stance on the issue, sophomore at DePaul University, Michaela Hrbacek recalled DePaul, “took steps last year to accommodate transgender individuals by creating a gender-neutral bathroom, which is labeled ‘family bathrooms.’”

This change, Hrbacek explained, “eased worries gender non-conforming and transgender students and faculty had in regards to using a bathroom on campus.”

DePaul students voice their opinions

“This Bill was created to stop masked violence in bathrooms based on no previous experiences or instances, the fact that ‘biological sex’ is included 13 times into HB2 is showing an obvious discrimination against transgender people,” said Hrbacek.

Thomas Zelmanovitz, freshman at DePaul University and member of the LGBT community said, “the mainstream interpretation of gender is severely lacking in depth and articulation.”

Zelmanovitz went on to explain the difference between sex and gender explaining, “the sex on someone’s birth certificate is entirely different from the gender that someone is. To put it in simple terms, sex is genitals and gender is behavior.”

In juxtaposition of this view of gender, Kiley Kostak, freshman on campus explained her support in HB2, “there are two genders in this world: male and female and I believe whatever is printed on your birth certificate is who you are.”

Ben Cohen, Senior studying political science at DePaul explained that he feels HB2 “on its surface seems completely reasonable.”

Cohen went on to say that there should be a, “frank and honest debate over whether we should have segregated bathrooms and changing rooms to begin with,” utilizing the racial segregation that once occurred within America as evidence of support.

Kelby Roth, freshman at DePaul said, though in opposition of the law, believes that bathroom policies should not be a political issue.

Though the bill does not focus solely on bathroom policies, it also establishes non-discrimination policy.

“House Bill 2 has a non-discrimination policy, which only protects people from discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, or biological sex,” said Hrbacek. “Sexual orientation and gender identity are not accounted for and protected by this law.”