In early 2026, the Kansas State Legislature passed the SB 244 law, which directly affects transgender people’s access to private bathrooms and, in some cases, invalidates state-issued driver’s licenses.   

According to the Kansas Reflector, after the state legislature passed this law, the United States Department of Education ordered four Kansas districts to stop allowing students to use bathrooms and locker rooms based on gender identity rather than biological sex.

English teacher Logan Mackay, said that as a member of the LGBTQ+ community himself, he has experienced some discrimination and that this law causes more harm than good for students.

Similarly, junior Oren Gnojek said they are disappointed with the lack of empathy that is shown to people who are different in any way and they are scared of how far the legislature might go to make everyone similar.

“This law goes against so many basic human rights,” Gnojek said. “We, as people, have the right to be called what we want, say what we want and be who we are.”

These new laws will not only affect those who have changed their names or who are transgender, but will also make those who go by nicknames feel discriminated against as well. Senior Olive Minor, who does not identify as transgender, said that although these new laws will not directly affect her, she still thinks they will threaten relationships between many students and teachers.

“It’s harder to focus and enjoy school when you’re being dehumanized by teachers, even if it’s against their will,” Minor said.

Minor said that, because Lawrence is a liberal town, she hopes they will not take this change lightly and people will add it to their weekly protests. Similarly, Mackay said that even though the Department of Education’s agreement has been repealed, he will do everything in his power to create a welcoming environment for his students by using their preferred name and pronouns.

“Overall, this change will embolden others to be discriminatory and malicious towards the queer community,” Mackay said.   

Mackay said that if students are not able to feel like themselves in a school building, they will not feel safe both inside and outside of school. Minor said that with these new laws, students will feel less welcome and learn less because they are not being respected.

“These new laws will weaken trust in our education system and prevent trans students from being fully themselves at school,” Minor said.

Minor said that this law puts teachers in a rough spot because they want to support and respect their students while also complying with the law. Gnojek said they are especially worried about younger students who rely on school and their teachers as a safe space to use their preferred names and pronouns, but Gnojek said they hope there’s a way to continue making students feel comfortable at school.

“I hope that there are ways that schools can still legally make small moves to continue helping students feel safe and accepted,” Gnojek said.