KY Senate permits teachers to refuse to refer a transgender student by their preferred pronouns

The Kentucky Senate passed a bill Thursday allowing teachers to refuse to refer to transgender students by their preferred pronouns — a proposal that was touted as protecting free-speech rights in classrooms but denounced by a lawmaker whose transgender son died recently.

The measure cleared the Senate on a 29-6 vote after the emotional debate, sending the culture war topic to the House. Republicans have supermajorities in both chambers. The bill's lead sponsor, Republican Sen. Max Wise, is the running mate for gubernatorial candidate Kelly Craft. Craft is among a dozen Republicans seeking their party's nomination in Kentucky’s May primary.

Wise pointed to parts of the bill that he said would empower parents, strengthening their communications with schools regarding health services and school curriculum around sexuality.