A Kansas state lawmaker has complained publicly about having to share women's restrooms with a "huge" transgender colleague who she described as a potential threat to young children who visit the Statehouse, CBS News reported.
Republican state Rep. Cheryl Helmer, of District 79, stood by her comments in an email to a University of Kansas graduate student while defending a bill she co-sponsored that would make it a felony for doctors to provide hormones or do gender transition surgery for children under 18. She also criticized what she called the "in-your-face" approach to promoting transgender rights by Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Byers, a retired teacher who is Kansas' first elected trans lawmaker.
The House speaker called Helmer's comments "unfortunate" and Democrats condemned them. House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer called for the House to censure Helmer.
LGBTQ Victory Fund President & CEO Mayor Annise Parker issued a statement criticizing Helmer's remarks.
"We unequivocally condemn Representative Helmer's ugly transphobic attack against Representative Byersa trans woman and fierce advocate for the marginalized communities who are too often the target of hate," Parker said. "We call on Representative Helmer to take accountability for her hateful words and actions and immediately resign. Absent that, we call on Speaker Ron Ryckman and senior leadership to take immediate disciplinary action against Representative Helmer to ensure public accountability. This is unprofessional behavior toward a colleague and should have been sanctioned by leadership already."
The Republican-controlled Legislature is trying to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's veto of a ban on transgender athletes in girls' and women's K-12 and college sports.