Transgender student barred from lockdown drill and forced to sit alone

Lauren Holter
·2 min read
Photo: Equality Stafford/Facebook
Photo: Equality Stafford/Facebook

When a middle school in Stafford County, Va., had a lockdown drill last week to prepare for potential mass shootings or other emergencies, a transgender student was barred from both the boys’ and girls’ locker room — where other students were taking shelter. She was instead instructed to sit in the gym and then the locker room hallway while teachers discussed where she should go, local LGBTQ rights group Equality Stafford said in a Facebook post.

“Let me be clear. During an event that prepares children to survive an attack by actual assailants, she was treated as if she was so much of a danger to peers that she was left exposed and vulnerable,” Equality Stafford’s Facebook post read.

On top of treating the middle-schooler differently than her classmates, this incident raised the question of where the girl would be allowed to seek shelter in a real emergency.

Stafford County Public Schools said it doesn’t comment on individual student incidents “to avoid divulging confidential information,” spokesperson Cherice Taylor said in a statement to Yahoo Lifestyle. “However, the new superintendent has requested a review of all protocols and procedures including safety to ensure that all children are treated with dignity and respect. We take such matters very seriously, and they will be addressed. The welfare of all students is of the utmost importance for SCPS.”

Parents, friends, and neighbors of the girl are planning a protest for Tuesday’s school board meeting.

“This is unacceptable — this cannot happen to one more child. Not one more in this county. Not ever again,” Equality Stafford wrote.

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