About 50 high school students protested Friday against the Marion County School Board’s decision to require transgender students to use the bathroom that matches the gender they were born with.
- Students protest Marion County Schools' new transgender bathroom rule
- School board approved the rule after a parent raised concerns
- The ACLU says litigation is likely
“This was just a complete tragedy for us,” said protester Riley Giberson.
The protest was held outside Vanguard High School in Ocala, the school at the center of the debate.
“Not only are [transgender students] left out of things, but they also get discriminated against for it, and it’s just time that they get what they deserve," said Giberson.
The school board made the decision after a parent raised concern because a transgender student walked into the boy’s room while his son was in there.
The school’s principal said he allowed the student to use the male restroom after the student wouldn’t use an alternative bathroom.
“Trans rights are basic human rights,” said organizer Nich Rardin.
Rardin is the student who organized the protest. He hopes the rally will help change the board’s decision.
The ACLU has sent the board a letter saying litigation is likely.
“Marion County is in a lot of trouble because of this. All eyes are watching,” said Rardin.