Dozens of Ohio students staged a walkout after a high school girl claimed she was harassed in the bathroom by a transgender student.
Elida High School student Charisma Akroyd said a biologically male student walked into the bathroom while she was undressing and asked to “join in.”
“I had on a hoodie and sweatpants and an outfit underneath, and as I was taking off my sweatpants and hoodie, this man came into the bathroom, gave me a weird look and said he wanted to “join in.” Akroyd said.
The school’s policy allows transgender students to use the restroom of their preferred gender identity.
Elida High School student Charisma Akroyd claims she was harassed by a transgender student in the school’s restrooms
The school’s policy allows transgender students to use the restroom of their preferred gender identity
Akroyd’s stepfather, Phil Hesseling, said he contacted school principal Justin Firks and was assured that “the matter would be resolved.”
However, when no action was taken, Hesseling escalated the situation and spoke to Superintendent Joel Mengerink, who he said was more interested in avoiding a possible lawsuit with the health insurance company than taking action for his stepdaughter.
The concerned stepfather said: “We were very worried about Charisma and what was happening.”
“The majority of people in our district are speaking out [that] That’s not right – because [Charisma] to do that. “Her mother and I are very proud of her.”
Principal Firks has not yet responded to ‘s request for comment.
While the school management has done nothing, Akroyd’s classmates support her and protest against the school policy with a strike.
One person who claimed to support the school’s students wrote online: “At first only a few came out and told us that the principals said that if they left the building they would have a Tuesday/Thursday school and an unexcused one would get absence for it.” day.
“If they wanted to protest, they had to do it in the courtyard or in the gym.” Firks stood in the doorway intimidating the students, and they said Larimore told them that no one was waiting for them outside.
“The few that came out went right back in and picked up the other students from the yard, and a few moments later a group of about 45 came out of the doors at the other end of the school from the yard.”
“We later learned that the school was forcing those in the gym to go back to class. And that the school blocked an entire cafeteria full of kids from coming out.
“What a shame for Elida to deny these children their rights!” And before anyone disregards the safety of the children… remember that during marching band, the school sends about 100 people outside to practice every day and the children This PBIS party makes money by letting them all hang out in the parking lot and eat there. “Food trucks are no different.”
While the school management has done nothing, Akroyd’s classmates support her and protest against the school policy with a strike
Hordes of students took part in the strike to support Akroyd, despite school warnings
When Akroyd spoke about what change she would like to see in school policy, she stated, “I want biological men to stop coming into the girls’ bathroom.”
“There have been several reports of boys or transgender girls coming into the bathroom and harassing the girls there, and we’re just not for that.” Biological boys must stay in their own bathroom.
“A lot of people said they would do it, but they probably made an announcement five to 10 minutes ago and said we could go out in the courtyard or in one of the gyms if we wanted to run and not go outside.”
“They said if we didn’t get back in and got a pass, it would be Tuesday-Thursday or a write-up,” the freshmen said.
After the strike ended, Mengerink released a statement saying, “We are here to ensure our students are educated in a safe environment.”
Board President Brenda Stocker reportedly claimed at a recent forum that the school’s nondiscrimination policy ensures districts “comply with federal case law.”
After the strike ended, Mengerink released a statement saying, “We are here to ensure our students are educated in a safe environment.”
“Encouraging students to participate in a walkout raises major safety concerns for us as we don’t know who is out there with them, especially when we just experienced a threat on social media last week.”
“We also make time for our students to teach, and that’s what we’re here for.”
Board President Brenda Stocker reportedly claimed at a recent forum that the school’s nondiscrimination policy ensures that districts “comply with federal case law established by the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals” and that “violating case law puts the district at risk.” suspends, …” lawsuit, “which we would certainly lose”.
It is unknown whether the school board has taken action against the transgender student or whether it will make changes to its policies.