Texas school superintendent called to resign by top state official for 'inclusive' transgender bathroom rules

This is the latest in the debate over transgender restroom laws in the US South

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Texas Lt Gov Dan Patrick called for the resignation of a school superintendent over his implementation of restroom policies that allow transgender students the use of facilities consistent with their gender identities.

Fort Worth Independent School District superintendent Dr Kent Scribner said he will not resign from his position following Mr Patrick’s call. Mr Scribner established guidelines in the city’s public schools that requires officials to allow access of restrooms that match with “the gender identity that each student consistently and uniformly asserts” or the opportunity to use facilities when no other students are present, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

But the Mr Patrick, who also hosts a right-wing talk radio show, said Mr Scribner’s “unilateral action” was a cause for outrage amongst parents.

“After less than a year as superintendent, Dr Scribner has lost his focus and thereby his ability to lead the Fort Worth ISD,” Mr Patrick said in a Monday statement. “Campus safety should be of paramount concern for anyone in his position. Every parent, especially those of young girls, should be outraged.”

“I call upon the parents within the Fort Worth ISD to take immediate steps to repeal this stealthy scheme and remove Dr Scribner from his post.”

The superintendent did not let Mr Patrick’s stern words sway him, and instead highlighted the need to create comfortable spaces for all Fort Worth students.

“I’m proud of these guidelines,” Mr Scribner told the Star-Telegram. “I think they provide educators with the ability to make all students more comfortable and confident in a learning environment.”

“Children shouldn’t have to wait for their schools to feel safe and full of respect.”

Fort Worth is the latest setting in a national debate in the US South over so-called “religious freedom” laws that require transgender people to use restrooms that correspond with the gender that appears on their birth certificates - most notably in North Carolina and Mississippi.

US Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced a civil rights lawsuit against the state of North Carolina that demands Gov Pat McCrory repeal the law, which she called “state-sponsored discrimination”.

“[This law inflicts] further indignity on a population that has already suffered far more than its fair share,” Ms Lynch said in a Monday press conference. “This law provides no benefit to society – all it does is harm innocent Americans.”