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Title: Hillsboro High students walk out over transgender dispute
Source:
St Louis Post Dispatch
URL Source: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/ ... 39-5944-9733-32f569dcdc32.html
Published: Sep 2, 2015
Author: Doug Moore
Post Date: 2015-09-02 08:46:54 by cranky
Keywords: None
Views: 16281
Comments: 156
Lila Perry, a senior and transgender student at Hillsboro High School, speaks with reporters as Blayke Childs of Farmington offers his opinion after a student walkout on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015, over Perry's request to use the girls locker rooms. Both supporters and opponents of Perry's request turned out for the morning protest. "I have sisters and brothers that go to school," said Childs, 21. "I don't want this to grow like wildfire." In the middle of last school year, Lila Perry came out as transgender. Before that, she had been living as a gay male. But that’s not who she really was. No longer was she going to pretend, Lila said. So this year, she told teachers and administrators at Hillsboro High School, where she is a senior, that she would no longer be content to use a unisex faculty bathroom. She wanted to be treated like other female students, including access to bathrooms and locker rooms for girls. Her decision spread quickly through the small Jefferson County school district and, on Monday morning, students at Hillsboro High School walked out in protest. During the walkout, Lila was locked in the principal’s office. She said she and administrators worried about her safety. The student walkout came on the heels of a School Board meeting Thursday that drew a large crowd — parents concerned that Lila is getting special rights at the expense of other students. Most of the students at Monday’s protest were opposed to accommodations for her. A smaller group gathered in support. “The girls have rights, and they shouldn’t have to share a bathroom with a boy,” said Tammy Sorden, who has a son at Hillsboro High. It is fine to be different, she said, but it is not right to give Lila special treatment “while the girls just have to suck it up.” Students and parents interviewed after the walkout were overwhelmingly in support of keeping Lila, 17, out of the school facilities for girls. But the school’s gay-straight alliance and other supporters held a counterprotest to show that not everyone is in agreement. Some students on both sides left after school administrators broke up the protest. Supporters of Lila said they did not feel comfortable going back into the school. Opponents said leaving school was a continuation of showing their position. Lila said she has dropped out of her physical education class because there is little supervision and that makes her uncomfortable. And she rarely uses the bathroom now while at school. Still, Lila said, she should be able to use the facilities girls use. “I wasn’t hurting anyone. I didn’t want to be in something gender-neutral,” she said, referring to the faculty bathroom administrators encouraged her to use. “I am a girl. I am not going to be pushed away to another bathroom.” LEGAL ISSUES High school administrators referred a reporter to Superintendent Aaron D. Cornman. He would not comment about the issue, which has become the talk of the community since classes began in mid-August. He said he had to protect the privacy of students. He did, however, hand a reporter a written statement. It said, in part, that the district “respects the rights of all students and appreciates the fact that the students we are educating are willing to stand on their belief system and to support their cause/beliefs through their expression of free speech.” Students were allowed to protest through second- and third-hour classes and then were asked to return to class. Cornman’s statement also says that the district accepts all students “no matter race, nationality/ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. We will promote tolerance and acceptance of all students that attend our district while not tolerating bullying/harassing behaviors of any type in any form.” Lila said the school administration has been very supportive and is working to make her feel welcome. They have allowed her to use the facilities used by girls and women. Districts that refuse to allow students to use a bathroom for the gender with which they identify could run afoul of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, said Kelli Hopkins of the Missouri School Boards’ Association. “The Office of Civil Rights has issued an opinion that says, if you do this, you have engaged in gender discrimination,” Hopkins said. “At the same time, there is no case law or statute in Missouri that says this is against the law.” Schools found to have violated a student’s civil rights are at risk of losing some of their federal funding, Hopkins said. ‘OUT IN PUBLIC’ Several people interviewed outside Hillsboro High on Monday argued that a student who still has male genitalia should not be allowed into a changing room with teenage girls. “I’m not comfortable with it,” said Britney Heimos, a 2008 Hillsboro graduate who was at the school to pick up her brother. “There is nothing wrong with being different. But when you are different, there are sacrifices.” Shortly after the protest, Jeff Childs, 47, and his son, Blayke, 21, both of Farmington, drove onto the high school parking lot with “Girls Rights Matter” painted on the sides and tailgate of the Ford pickup. When they were told by police to leave, they went to a Dollar General store, bought poster boards and markers and made signs that they held at the busy entrance to the high school. “This needs to stop before it goes too far,” said Childs, who has a niece and a nephew who go to an elementary school in Hillsboro. “I’m not trying to be ignorant, but (the transgender student) is bringing it out in public for everybody else to deal with.” Skyla Thompson, 16, refers to Lila as her best friend. She said Lila often stays at Skyla’s house overnight while Lila’s family tries to come to grips with their child identifying as transgender. “She is such a good person. They are just judging her on the outside,” Skyla said of those who have been critical of Lila. Lila wears a long brown wig, with bobby pins keeping the hair from her eyes. On Monday, her outfit included a short blue skirt and wedges. “She is choosing her life to better herself, to better accept herself,” said friend Gianna Warfel, 16. “I don’t know what there is to discriminate about that. I really support the bravery she has.” Hopkins, of the Missouri School Boards’ Association, said she is having to explain to school boards with more frequency how the federal government views treatment of transgender students. “I got no calls on this five years ago,” she said. “I’ve gotten at least half a dozen recently.” 
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 114.
#4. To: cranky (#0)
Cut the faggots dick off and stuff it in his mouth.
Maybe your Christian values could allow you to mimic ISIS methods - burn the kid alive.
The maggot claims it is female. It shouldn't even have a dick. So snip it in the bathroom on lunch break. People who tolearte faggots are faggots.
I don't recall Jesus ever preaching that we should "cut the dicks off faggots" Is that your own interpretation of scripture?
Is that your own interpretation of scripture? Pebbles and Luberator are attracted to any LGBT news item like white on rice. I wonder why?
That's such an old, weak bullshit debate ploy. Does that mean Deckard wants to secretly be a cop? Does it mean that Hondo is a closet Bush supporter? Does it mean that Meguro had a thing for Pete... Scratch that one, don't answer. When you not have a foot to stand on, the debate loser says, a faggot hater must be a faggot lover, because they talk about faggots often. Where I come from, you have a greater chance of being a faggot, when you defend them.
Good grief man! No one is defending "faggots". I am merely pointing out the obvious hypocrisy of some who call themselves Christians". Maybe you can tell us all where Jesus told us to "cut the dicks off" faggots.
Wanna play that game? Lol -- you're on. I am merely pointing out the obvious hypocrisy of some who call themselves Christians". Oh..."merely"?? Heh! You don't even know the definition of "Christian," Anarchist. But I bet you DO know the definition of "ANARCHIST." You can only troll against Law Enforcement with a broad-brush for so long before you're exposed. You can only troll FOR drugs and pro-Queer for so long before your true agenda...is BUSTED. You're an Anarchist. Just admit it (and YES, anarchy is anti-God, anti-Christian, and anti-truth.)
I know the definition of Christian does not include someone wanting to cut the dicks off faggots. You and Stoney really are messed up if you believe that's what Jesus taught. Your line of thinking is more in line with those of the muslim faith. But I bet you DO know the definition of "ANARCHIST." You can only troll against Law Enforcement with a broad-brush for so long before you're exposed. Looks like you joined the cop groupies - the stories I post are those which point out criminal, corrupt and psychotic members of the esteemed law enforcement profession. You can only troll FOR drugs and pro-Queer for so long before your true agenda...is BUSTED. Sighs - I know that with your limited intellectual prowess this will be difficult for you to grasp, but my I am against the war on drugs for reasons that you couldn't possibly fathom. Things like freedom and liberty - I am against the militarization of police and the encroaching police state that has been put into place in part due to your failed war on drugs. But your simple mind can only think that because someone is against the war on drugs that person MUST be a druggie. Same with gays. I make a comment that contradicts your unbiblical view that faggots should have their dicks cut off, and to a simpleton like you it means I am "pro-queer". You used to be a rational poster, but quite frankly, your Fred Phelps brand of Christianity is really not my cup of tea. You're an Anarchist. Just admit it (and YES, anarchy is anti-God, anti-Christian, and anti-truth.) Yes, I suppose to someone like you, it may appear to seem that way. But once again, it's just more of the false dichotomy I have come to expect from low IQ morons like yourself. You're not for the Republicans - you must be a libturd. You don't like Trump - you want amnesty and open borders. You speak out against the war on drugs - you must be a meth-head. ...and so on and so on.
You and Stoney really are messed up if you believe that's what Jesus taught. ESPECIALLY since according to THEIR instruction manual,Jesus spent his entire life surrounded by and living with harry-legged men,without even ever having wanted to kiss a female. Am I the only one wondering what they would have to say about the sexuality of any of their 30 something year old neighbors that surrounded himself with mean 24/7,and was never seen to associate with "those girl-things"?
Am I the only one wondering what they would have to say about the sexuality of any of their 30 something year old neighbors that surrounded himself with mean 24/7,and was never seen to associate with "those girl-things"? Warped minds indulge in their own fantasies. You have used "harry {sic} legged men" quite often in your diatribes. Just saying...
Just saying... You're right. For all we know,Jesus demanded his men shave their legs.
Your just being silly pete.
Why not? This whole damn argument is silly. What is important is what people DO,not their sexual orientation. Only a clueless fool would even suggest that all homosexuals are child,or even adult rapists. And what they do sexually with other consenting adults in private is nobody's business but their own.
Nobody is arguing the right of sodomites to create and plug away at several dozen orifices in the privacy of their own dungeon. But a "private matter"? SERIOUSLY?? HA! I remember THAT meme. It wuz BS. SOMEHOW, homos' "private business" MUST be now endorsed by gubmint, by Hollywood, by schools, by churches, by Christians....EVERYONE! Or else be slandered as "homophobic" or "intolerant." Somehow, now the "private business" they begged for MUST be conducted via a very PUBLIC parade every five minutes in front of St. Patty's cathedral.... while giving each other BJs on the top of floats shaped like...penises.
SOMEHOW, homos' "private business" MUST be now endorsed by gubmint, by Hollywood, by schools, by churches, by Christians....EVERYONE! Or else be slandered as "homophobic" or "intolerant." Somehow, now the "private business" they begged for MUST be conducted via a very PUBLIC parade every five minutes in front of St. Patty's cathedral.... while giving each other BJs on the top of floats shaped like...penises. Dude,get counseling if you are getting wood looking at Justin Beeber and feel guilty about it. The whole homosexual thing is WAAAAY too personal for you and your guilt.
There are no replies to Comment # 114. End Trace Mode for Comment # 114.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestShe said she and administrators worried about her safety.
#5. To: A K A Stone (#4)
#6. To: Fred Mertz (#5)
#13. To: A K A Stone (#6)
People who tolearte faggots are faggots.
#15. To: Deckard (#13)
I don't recall Jesus ever preaching that we should "cut the dicks off faggots"
#17. To: Fred Mertz (#15)
Pebbles and Luberator are attracted to any LGBT news item like white on rice. I wonder why?
#25. To: GrandIsland, Luberator, Fred Mertz (#17)
Where I come from, you have a greater chance of being a faggot, when you defend them.
#27. To: Deckard, GrandIsland (#25)
Luberator
#29. To: Liberator, GrandIsland, Fred Mertz (#27)
You don't even know the definition of "Christian,"
#54. To: Deckard, Liberator, GrandIsland, Fred Mertz (#29)
I know the definition of Christian does not include someone wanting to cut the dicks off faggots.
#68. To: sneakypete, Deckard, Liberator, GrandIsland, Fred Mertz (#54)
ESPECIALLY since according to THEIR instruction manual,Jesus spent his entire life surrounded by and living with harry-legged men,without even ever having wanted to kiss a female.
#91. To: redleghunter (#68)
You have used "harry {sic} legged men" quite often in your diatribes.
#96. To: sneakypete (#91)
#99. To: redleghunter (#96)
Your just being silly pete.
#105. To: sneakypete (#99)
What they [homos] do sexually with other consenting adults in private is nobody's business but their own.
#114. To: Liberator (#105)
Nobody is arguing the right of sodomites to create and plug away at several dozen orifices in the privacy of their own dungeon. But a "private matter"? SERIOUSLY?? HA! I remember THAT meme. It wuz BS.
Replies to Comment # 114.
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