Pennsylvania high schoolers stage walkout over transgender restroom policy

Numerous students from Pennsylvania's Perkiomen Valley School District exited their classrooms on Friday. This mass walkout was a response to the local school board's decision not to implement a policy that would mandate transgender students to use restrooms that align with their biological sex.

John Ott, who organized the walkout stated that, "Kids were upset. Girls… we wanted to protect them. They were upset. They didn't want men in their bathroom," Fox News reported.

Ott's mother, Stephanie, claimed that the district focuses solely on the rights of transgender students, without considering the broader context.

"The safety of females is so important and these students that stood out that walked out, they are to be commended. They have courage and they exercise their First Amendment rights. This is about protecting our children and our privacy and boys and girls. It's simple biology," she said.

Following a social media post by local father Tim Jagger, who shared that his daughter felt "too upset and emotionally disturbed" to enter school restrooms due to an alleged incident involving a transgender student, Proposed Policy 720 was introduced.

Victoria Rudolph, a student from Perkiomen Valley, told Fox News her discomfort with allowing biologically male students into women's restrooms. She emphasized the need for changes to ensure the safety and comfort of girls.

"There needs to be some changes. It's just uncomfortable seeing, 19-year-old men or 18-year-old men in the bathroom," she said.

Brandon Emery, another student, mentioned that the district hasn't detailed their approach to implementing the policy. He expressed the sentiment that many students feel their concerns aren't being acknowledged.

"It makes me feel as if it's me and my sister and the rest of us students' rights are now compromised and not a priority to this school whatsoever," he stated.

Melanie Marren, Emery's mother, expressed her frustration at observing children navigate scenarios that adults should address. Speaking to "FOX & Friends First" co-host Todd Piro, she emphasized the significance of listening to the students' perspectives.

"They are making these policies without taking into consideration how they affect the students and how uncomfortable it is just to be a teenager in general, but now have to be faced with the invasion of their privacy in those areas where they should feel safe and private," she said.

Ian Miles Cheong

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Ian Miles Cheong is a freelance writer, graphic designer, journalist and videographer. He’s kind of a big deal on Twitter.

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