BUCKHANNON — In 2019, former Mayor David McCauley proposed Ordinance 434, which allowed biological men to have access to girls’ restrooms, showers, locker rooms, and changing rooms. McCauley is now a candidate for city council in the 2022 Buckhannon Municipal Election.
On page 2, article 2, number 7, the ordinance defines gender identity as “The actual perceived gender-related identity, expression, appearance, or mannerisms, or other gender-related characteristics of an individual, regardless of the individual designated sex at birth.”
On page 2, article 1, number 11, the ordinance creates “gender identity” as a protected class.
On page 3, article 3, number 11 and subsection 2 McCauley’s ordinance mandated, “The right to the full enjoyment of any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, or privileges of any public accommodation without discrimination” upon the basis of “gender identity.”
Facilities and public accommodations would include restrooms, showers, locker rooms, and changing rooms. This has been concurred by numerous court precedents, including Doe v. Clenchy.
This means that David McCauley’s ordinance would have forced all public businesses, schools, gyms, and organizations within the city limits to allow men to use girls’ restroom facilities.
This is especially concerning considering the numerous municipal taxpayer dollars funding Stockert Youth Center, where many college students have been known to apply as volunteers. If a biological-male, child-sexual predator were to apply as a volunteer at Stockert Youth Center, under McCauley’s ordinance, they would legally be able to follow little girls into the restroom.
This already happened in neighboring Loudoun County, VA. As reported in an investigative story from The Daily Wire, a biological-male student identified as a female to gain access to girls’ school restroom facilities. The sexual predator waited in the restroom for his victims to enter, and then raped multiple girls, including a 14-year-old.
Scott Smith, the father of one of the victims, appeared at the Loudoun County Board of Education meeting, demanding justice and answers. As reported by Fox News, the Board of Education had him arrested. Smith was beaten by law enforcement, his mouth bloodied, and charged with disorderly conduct. It was then discovered that Loudoun County Schools attempted to cover up the scandal.
Every voter must ask themselves the question, do we really want to bring this policy to Buckhannon, and empower sexual predators? David McCauley has made it clear that he supports this policy.
McCauley proposed and voted in favor of this ordinance; however, it was defeated 4-3.