Grand Canyon Times

In a video that recently surfaced, Sen. Christine Marsh (D-Phoenix) is shown voting against a bill that would have required schools to provide reasonable accommodations to students who did not identify with their biological sex without creating uncomfortable situations for other students, and recommending that the legislature simply pass a bill requiring shower curtains. 

Marsh's comments have drawn criticism as some point out that a shower curtain would likely not be sufficient for young girls uncomfortable with the prospect of biological males in their locker rooms.

The Arizona Senate Victory Fund recently posted the video in which Marsh states, "I would just like to point out that we could have just passed a law that schools have to have shower curtains and it could've solved this whole thing." Marsh closes by saying, "I wasn't kidding – I mean people kind of chuckled, but I'm not kidding. That should be the law: Schools have to have shower curtains," and ultimately votes against Senate Bill 1040.

According to the summary of the bill, SB 1040 would have required public schools to provide reasonable accommodations to a person who is unwilling or unable to use the facilities designated for their biological sex. The bill would've applied to all of Arizona's K-12 public schools. 

"It is insane that the Arizona legislature would have to pass a law to bar biological males from using girls' restrooms and locker rooms in schools, and it is beyond insane that a legislator would actually oppose this measure, never mind a female former teacher," American Principles Project (APP) President Terry Schilling said. "The English language simply doesn't have the adjectives to adequately describe the lunacy of the left."

In a release, the Arizona Department of Education advised that schools "not initiate a policy that allows biological boys to use restrooms, locker rooms or shower facilities that are intended for girls." The head of the department, Superintendent Tom Horne, stated that he had been contacted by "a number of parents who are outraged by the idea that biological boys can use restrooms, locker rooms and shower facilities meant for girls, and they are considering removing their daughters from schools that allow this."

Despite passing in the Senate, SB 1040 was ultimately vetoed by Gov. Katie Hobbs, AZ Mirror reported.

"To believe that young girls should be comfortable showering with males, behind a shower curtain or not, is utterly deranged," Schilling said. "Anyone who holds such views doesn't belong in a school or a legislature; they belong in an asylum."

According to her bio, Marsh has been teaching in Arizona's public schools for 29 years, initially teaching English at the high school level before moving to teach middle school four years ago. 

Currently, nine states have passed legislation for their K-12 public schools that require individuals in those institutions to use the bathroom and locker room facilities consistent with their biological sex, according to the Movement Advancement Project.

A recent poll showed that by a 54% to 27% margin, Arizonans believe that individuals should use bathrooms based on their biological sex rather than their "gender identity," according to a report from The Hill.