Kentucky joins lawsuit over transgender bathroom policy

by Austin Stallings
Journalism Intern

The Commonwealth of Kentucky has become the latest state to join the lawsuit against the transgender bathroom policy put in place by the Obama administration.

"The federal government has no authority to dictate local school districts' bathroom and locker room policies," said Gov. Matt Bevin in a statement released by his office. "The Obama Administration's transgender policy 'guidelines' are an absurd federal overreach into a local issue."

According to Wave 3 News, the Governor’s decision has caused dissonance between himself and Kentucky’s Attorney General Andy Beshear.

"Unfortunately, Attorney General Andy Beshear is unwilling to protect Kentucky's control over local issues," Bevin said. "Therefore, my administration will do so by joining this lawsuit. We are committed to protecting the Tenth Amendment and fighting federal overreach into state and local issues."

In response, Beshear's office released the following statement:

"The Governor's statement is not truthful. The Office of the Attorney General has been closely reviewing this matter. On the day the federal government issued its guidance, the governor stated he was researching legal options. I expected to be consulted on those options, but my office has not received a single phone call from the governor or his attorneys on this matter. The Office of Attorney General works to protect families every day from abuse, crime, scams and other threats. Any statement that it does not stand up for Kentucky families is entirely false. Sadly, this is another example of the governor’s office playing politics instead of trying to work with us.

Kentucky has joined 11 other states in the lawsuit.

The Gayly - 5/27/2016 @ 3:30 p.m. CDT