Horne Challenges Anti-School Choice Leader on Defense of Males in Women’s Spaces

By Staff Reporter |

In a heated exchange, Arizona Department of Education Superintendent Tom Horne has publicly challenged Save Our Schools Arizona Director Beth Lewis over her recent comments regarding gender identity in school bathrooms and locker rooms. Lewis criticized Horne’s stance on the matter, questioning the significance of gender in traditionally gendered spaces.

“Why do Tom Horne and these Grandmas care who my kids are sharing a bathroom with?” Lewis wrote in a social media post, emphasizing a more accepting environment among her children and their peers, who embrace diversity in sexual orientation and identity.

In response, Horne condemned Lewis’s position, labeling it reckless and harmful to children’s safety. He stated, “These changes to Title IX regulations are outrageous since they allow biological boys to expose themselves to girls and invade their privacy.” Horne expressed concern about the challenges these policies pose for educators and administrators in managing student safety and comfort.

The controversy stems from recent modifications to Title IX regulations made by the Biden administration, which now include “gender identity” in its definition of sex. This change affects access to gender-specific facilities like bathrooms and sports teams. Legal challenges have arisen, with Louisiana’s state government contesting the alterations. Both the Fifth and Sixth Circuit Courts of Appeals have sided against the Biden administration’s attempts to overturn injunctions against these changes, with the U.S. Supreme Court recently upholding those decisions.

Horne highlighted a concerning trend mentioned in Louisiana’s case, citing incidents of male aggression in female restrooms as evidence of the potential dangers posed by such policy changes. “The courts see the tragedies that have already occurred because of policies such as the new Title IX regulations,” he articulated. He urged Lewis and her organization to consider the implications of their advocacy more carefully.

In a rebuttal, Lewis characterized Horne’s opposition as “hateful rhetoric.” She further dismissed him as “a weirdo who is publicly obsessing over kids’ genitals,” redirecting the focus towards the acceptance and understanding of diverse identities among young people.

Prior to her leadership role at Save Our Schools Arizona, Lewis accumulated over a decade of experience teaching elementary and middle school students. Under her guidance, the organization has focused heavily on advocating for public schools while opposing Arizona’s school choice program. Recently, the group has expanded its focus to include support for LGBTQ+-friendly legislation amidst ongoing debates surrounding gender ideology.

During the last legislative session, Save Our Schools Arizona opposed measures requiring facilities to align with biological gender rather than gender identity, reflecting broader tensions in the discourse around education and inclusivity.

The organization has also been vocal in its political support, endorsing Democratic candidates and recently commending the selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as a vice presidential pick for Kamala Harris.