SW News: In a welcome move, the governor of North Dakota in the United States has inked into law a bill that protects school teachers and state employees who prefer to ignore transgender pronouns used by students.

While signing the legislation, Governor Doug Burgum said that the new law “largely codifies existing practices while reaffirming the First Amendment right to free speech”. He also hailed the law for balancing the privileges of students, parents and teachers.

As per the new law, teachers have to inform guardians and parents of students if they experience gender dysphoria. It also mandates that bathrooms have to be used as per biological sex in the absence of parental consent.

With the governor signing the bill, it has come into effect. Those who support the new law say that it gives a shot in the arm to the rights of parents and provides solace to teachers. There were also demands that the governor should have done more to curb the rights of those experiencing gender dysphoria. The bill is the latest to be passed restricting the rights of those who are confused about their gender identity. It was passed in both the Senate and the House with veto-proof majorities.

On the other hand, opponents of the bills said that Republican lawmakers are violating the right of students and teachers in the state by manipulating the speech of adults and exposing kids to dangerous aftereffects if an abusive parent does not comply. "Mandatory outing of a student’s trans identity violates their privacy rights at school – particularly for trans youth who cannot be safe at home. And creating a supportive working and learning environment also requires treating people with dignity and respect, including – at a minimum – calling them by the name and pronouns they want to use.

These are both unlawful and discriminatory practices," said Cody Schuler, advocacy manager of the American Civil Liberties Union of North Dakota.