A North Georgia community is divided over the school district’s decision to allow transgender students to use the restroom of their choice.
Pickens County Superintendent Carlton Wilson said a Florida appellate judge’s ruling mandates that public schools allow students who identify as male to use the boys’ restroom and vice versa, Channel 2 Action News reported.
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Now, the controversy is brewing in the mostly conservative town as some parents push back against the district’s decision.
“There could be a fight. The safety in general is my concern, regardless of where you stand on the issue,” parent Becky Hernandez told the news station Friday.
Others, such as parent Rachel Evans, said allowing students to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity is the right move.
“They would use the stall and it wouldn’t be an issue,” she said. “They just want to be treated like everyone else.”
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Wilson said there are several transgender students who attend school in Pickens County.
“Every one of these students are our students and every one of the students — all of them — are going through different things in their lives,” he said. “They all need to be nurtured and loved.”
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A community meeting to address the matter is planned for 6 p.m. Monday at Pickens High School. Wilson said he expects more than 600 people to attend.
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