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Supporters Gather At Capitol Building As Trans Students Meet With Governor

Chynna Lockett

Nearly 30 people gathered in front of the State Capitol building this afternoon in opposition to House Bill 1008, the transgender bathroom bill. The event included representatives from the Black Hills Center for Equality, the America Civil Liberties Union and some national transgender organizations.

18 year old Thomas Lewis is a transgender student from Sioux Falls who is expected to meet with Governor Dennis Daugaard to discuss the legislation.

“I would like to say that bathrooms don’t need to change, people do. I mean, going to the bathroom is a basic body function, everyone has to do it. So we shouldn’t have to write up a law that says this is where kids can and cannot go to the bathroom. And you can see from all of this-you know there’s been backlash from students who can’t vote, they’re like 15, 16 years old-and they can’t vote on this if this goes on a ballot but this is huge backlash. So it’s obvious that the people representing us aren’t doing that effectively,” says Lewis.

Protesters met briefly outside with some state lawmakers who sponsored the bill. Governor Daugaard is now considering the measure which passed the state legislature earlier this session. ?