A student at Ringgold Highschool, Dakota Johnson, moved from another school system in Tennessee. When he moved here he contacted the school about his name, his pronouns, and restroom. The school is denying Dakota access to the restroom he feels comfortable using. The school has made constant excuses on why he can't use the men's restroom. But there are no laws restricting transgender students from using their preferred bathroom. Under federal law, transgender students are protected under Title IX and the constitution. The Biden administration administered an executive order on preventing and combating discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation  in schools (In effect, January 21, 2021) The Biden administration also administered another executive order on guaranteeing an educational environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Schools are constantly treating us like we are a threat. The schools excuse was that it might upset other students and parents. As if we are any less important than they are. We want to prove them wrong. There are tons of transgender kids who live in Ringgold. This is their home. This is my home. But the discrimination makes it hard to live here. Some that don't have the courage to come out and be who they are. The actions demonstrated by the Ringgold Highschool staff are unacceptable and discriminate against transgender students. We are the future. We deserve a future. A future where we feel comfortable in our own skin. A future where we feel comfortable in school. We aren't going anywhere. You can't erase us.

"Every tiger, everyday, without exeption." That is our school motto. Me and other transgender individuals are waiting till that motto is true. 

It is our constitutional right to protest. 

SOURCES:

www.transequality.org

www.glsen.org

www2.ed.gov

www.whitehouse.gov