Lesbian Lawmaker Says Churches are a Threat to Children

A lesbian lawmaker in Alabama suggested this week that the real safety threat for children is not men who identify as female using women’s restrooms, but faith leaders in churches and teachers in schools.

“Just read [the news] every morning and look at the child predators in our state. They are not transgender people. In fact, more and more are teachers, coaches and faith leaders,” wrote Patricia Todd, D-Birmingham, in an op-ed for Al.com on Wednesday. “So if you really want to protect your children from child predators, don’t take them to school, public parks, church or allow them to play sports or use the internet.”

Todd has served in the Alabama House of Representatives since 2006. Her latest re-election was in 2014, when she defeated two Democratic opponents. She was not challenged by a Republican candidate.

“The majority of child sexual assault occurs in locations where children gather, school, church, parks, etc.,” Todd wrote in her op-ed in discussing her thoughts regarding concerns over allowing men who identify as women in women’s restrooms.

“Instead of focusing on the facts of where sexual assault occur and who perpetrates these attacks, the right made up a problem that doesn’t actually exist according to expert studies,” she said. “The truth is that the only recorded incidents of violence in the bathrooms has been when opponents to transgender rights initiate it.”

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