Transgender bathroom bill advancing in Tennessee House


              Henry Seaton, a transgender high school senior, listens during a House subcommittee hearing about a bill seeking to require school children to use restrooms according to the gender on their birth certificates, Tuesday, March 15, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. Seaton told the panel that he has had to use a teacher’s bathroom at his school because he was not allowed to use either the boys or girls facilities. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)
Henry Seaton, a transgender high school senior, listens during a House subcommittee hearing about a bill seeking to require school children to use restrooms according to the gender on their birth certificates, Tuesday, March 15, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. Seaton told the panel that he has had to use a teacher’s bathroom at his school because he was not allowed to use either the boys or girls facilities. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A bill that would require transgender students to use bathrooms that match their sex at birth is gaining momentum in the Tennessee legislature after passing in a House subcommittee.

The bill is advancing despite opposition from the state's Republican governor, Bill Haslam. Conservatives have pushed the legislation, which is sponsored by Rep. Susan Lynn of Mt. Juliet and Sen. Mike Bell of Riceville, both Republicans.

Last month South Dakota became the only state to pass a bill that would require transgender students to use bathrooms that correspond to their sex at birth. However, Republican Gov. Dennis Daugaard vetoed the legislation.

Tennessee's bill would require transgender students at public grade schools and universities to use restrooms and locker rooms that match their sex on their birth certificate.

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