Ohio college ‘forcing students’ to share bathrooms with opposite sex: watchdog
A conservative legal watchdog group, America First Legal, is calling for an investigation into Kenyon College, alleging that the college is violating Ohio’s recently passed bathroom bill which categorizes restrooms by biological sex. The group has sent letters to Craig Trainor, the Department of Education’s acting assistant secretary in the Office for Civil Rights, and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, urging them to open an investigation into the college’s practices.
According to Will Scolinos, AFL legal counsel, Ohio law clearly states that multi-occupancy restrooms must be designated for either men or women. He believes that schools of higher education should be focusing on educating students rather than implementing radical gender policies that require men and women to share the same restrooms. Scolinos stated, “It is not normal.”
In response, a spokesperson for Kenyon College has stated that the college fully complies with all state and federal laws. They are committed to ensuring that all students, including women, do not experience discrimination or harassment on campus.
Kenyon College is accused of violating Ohio law by allowing multi-occupancy restrooms in its administrative and academic buildings to avoid sex-based requirements. The law, which went into effect in February, mandates that student restrooms, locker rooms, and shower facilities be designated by biological sex.
The college justifies its administrative multi-occupancy restrooms by stating that they are not exclusively for students and that students are permitted to use them if they choose to do so. However, AFL argues that Ohio law requires any restroom accessible to multiple individuals at the same time to adhere to sex-based entry restrictions.
The group also claims that Kenyon’s policy does not align with President Trump’s executive order, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” The order recognizes only two sexes, male and female, and defines sex as an individual’s immutable biological classification.
The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is already investigating Denver Public Schools for potentially violating Title IX by installing all-gender restrooms. Kenyon College has encouraged students affected by the new law to seek support from various campus resources.
Overall, this investigation into Kenyon College is part of a larger effort to ensure compliance with state and federal laws regarding restroom facilities. The Department of Education has become a key battleground for overturning Biden-era diversity policies, and investigations into schools like Kenyon College demonstrate a commitment to upholding the law and protecting students’ rights.
