The Alaska Supreme Court is considering a case that could have enormous consequences for parents, students and public schools across our state.
At issue in X.A. v. Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District is a Mat-Su School District policy requiring students to use bathrooms and changing facilities designated for their biological sex, while providing single-occupancy facilities for students who want an alternative.
The ACLU challenged the policy on behalf of a transgender-identifying student, arguing that it violates Alaska’s constitutional protections of privacy and equal protection.
After a four-day trial, the Superior Court rejected those constitutional claims and upheld the core school policy.
Now the case is before the Alaska Supreme Court. Oral arguments were heard last week, and a decision is expected soon.
This Is About More Than Bathrooms
The larger question is whether Alaska schools can continue recognizing the biological reality that human beings are male and female when protecting privacy in bathrooms, locker rooms and other intimate spaces.
For generations, we have separated these facilities by sex for a simple reason: privacy matters.
Girls should be able to change clothes without being required to share intimate spaces with biological males. Boys deserve the same privacy.
Recognizing those differences is not hatred. It is not bullying. And it should not be unconstitutional.
Every student – including those struggling with gender identity – deserves compassion, dignity and protection from mistreatment.
But compassion does not require abandoning biological reality.
Mat-Su’s policy recognizes both principles. It maintains male and female facilities while offering single-occupancy alternatives to students uncomfortable using them.
That is a reasonable accommodation.
Parents Have Rights Too
Too often these debates focus exclusively on the demands of one student while virtually ignoring the privacy interests of every other child in the school.
Parents have legitimate expectations about who will share bathrooms and changing facilities with their sons and daughters.
And locally elected school boards should have considerable authority to establish reasonable policies reflecting the values and concerns of the families they serve.
If the Alaska Supreme Court decides that our Constitution requires schools to open sex-separated facilities based on gender identity rather than biological sex, the consequences could extend far beyond Mat-Su.
Bathrooms may only be the beginning.
Locker rooms, overnight accommodations and other sex-separated activities could ultimately be affected.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
Compassion and Truth Can Coexist
At Alaska Family Council, we believe every child is created in the image of God and possesses immeasurable worth.
We also believe male and female are biological realities – not arbitrary categories created by government.
Those convictions are not contradictory.
We can treat every student with kindness while maintaining reasonable boundaries that protect everyone.
The Alaska Supreme Court should uphold the ability of schools to recognize biological sex and protect student privacy.
Because girls deserve privacy. Boys deserve privacy. Parents deserve a voice. And biological reality should not become unconstitutional.
The views expressed here are those of the author.
12 Comments
Maybe it is time for class action lawsuits against the parent/child trying to force the boys-in-girls-spaces issues. I’m sick of everyone being expected to dance to the tune of mentally ill people. I feel for people who are genuinely ill with gender dysphoria, but they should not be forcing others to play along with their perceptions, but they should instead be seeking treatment.
100% AGREE! Thank you!
I cannot understand our Justices. Several years ago, they allowed Murkowski the ability to have campaign signs in polling places. Obviously they wanted to skew the election in her favor. What do the laws and Constitution say about this topic? The Justices did not care.
There is nothing in our Constitution regarding the mental illness that dictates to an individual to pretend they are of another gender. The Constitution has nothing to say in this matter. We do have laws, that fit our constitution encouraging safety for our citizens. In a State with high levels of rape, never mind the socio-ethnic details of this, we have every reason to support keeping our youth safe in their respective bathrooms. The school district can always have a unisex bathroom for one individual at a time.
Shall we go back and review how you stood by and allowed Dunleavy to mock Chloe Cole during one of your fundraisers?!!
You hate EVERYONE, Dave!
When are you going to give up your root of bitterness???
Jesus loves you, please act like you love Him too.
1 John 4:20
If someone says, “I love God,” and yet he hates his brother or sister, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother and sister whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
Wow ms Carmen. That is quite the indictment! “Hate every one”! My comment referring to Chloe Cole = hating everyone? Look again carol. I’m one of the few who was standing up for an individual who was in my opinion being mocked by our governor of all people. When this type of thing happens I believe it is imperative that the adults ought to stand up and state their case! If you are not able to do the same with a needed level of discernment, that is your problem and you will be held accountable for it.
When will you give up your root of bitterness, Dave??
1 John 4:20
If someone says, “I love God,” and yet he hates his brother or sister, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother and sister whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
And you ms carmin , blaming the FBI for pedophiles in the legislature ie rauchers chief of staff! I can’t think of any scripture to quote here!? Plain stupid!
100% AGREE! Thank you!
Dave, just focus on your lawsuit to get Dylan Mulvaney beer back on the shelf. Your stash must be dwindling as you share with ACLU. Most of your sect never got a clue as to why Bud dropped that DEI project like a blind date from Wuhan.
Thank you Jim MInnery! Well said!!
These very confused individuals which were brainwashed by the left. You don’t get ANY special rights, get over it.
You’re a boy or girl end of story