Reactions to Governor Rhoden signing HB1259

ABERDEEN, S.D.(HubCityRadio)- On Thursday Governor Larry Rhoden signed HB1259. The bill prohibit unauthorized access to certain multi-occupancy rooms.

Representative Brandei Schaefbauer was the prime sponsor of the bill released the following statement to HubCityRadio after learning Governor Rhoden signed HB1259:

“I would like to thank Governor Rhoden for signing an important piece of legislation that will protect girls, women and everyone in their private and vulnerable spaces, but also return common sense and dignity to all of South Dakota.”

Alliance Defending Freedom Legal Counsel Sara Beth Nolan regarding South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden’s signing Thursday of HB 1259, a bill that protects women and girls by prohibiting men from entering into women’s spaces—such as changing rooms, sleeping quarters, and restrooms—in public schools and public buildings:

“Women and girls should not be forced to sacrifice their privacy and safety to activists pushing gender ideology. Allowing men to invade girls’ spaces—including locker rooms, sleeping areas, or restrooms—rips away girls’ spaces. HB 1259 ensures that girls’ spaces in public schools and public buildings are not open to men and prioritizes privacy and safety for every South Dakota girl. ADF commends Gov. Rhoden and Rep. Brandei Schaefbauer for their leadership on HB 1259. We also thank South Dakota Family Voice for its unwavering commitment to protecting women and girls across the state.”

Samantha Chapman with the ACLU who was opposed to HB1259:

“All South Dakotans deserve to access the facilities they need, in alignment with their gender identity, without fear of harassment or bullying. It doesn’t infringe on anyone’s rights to share spaces with those who are different. But by signing House Bill 1259 into law, Gov. Rhoden is putting vulnerable trans youth at risk for abuse and harassment. This is a cruel invasion of students’ rights to privacy, which could result in unwarranted governmental disclosures of private, personal information.

“Advocating for the civil rights and civil liberties of some of the most vulnerable people in our state shouldn’t be reduced to a political catchphrase. As the alleged ‘war on woke’ attempts to manipulate trans rights into flashpoints in the larger political discourse, the truth remains unchanged: Attacks on trans rights is an attack on people — their lives, their rights and their freedom to be. These partisan attempts to police bodies so they might adhere to one person’s belief system is not just wrong, it’s unlawful.

“The ACLU envisions a world in which all transgender people can live openly, freely and fully without discrimination, harassment or violence. It’s unfortunate that South Dakota lawmakers are actively fighting against that.”