The South County Democratic Club rallied this week in support of transgender students outside a Lucia Mar School Board meeting. They were pushing back against recent opposition to a transgender student athlete using school locker rooms at Arroyo Grande High.
Protesters gathered outside the Georgie O’Connor Board Room at Arroyo Grande High School, demanding equal rights for transgender students.
During public comment, Rabbi Micah Hyman of Congregation Beth David in San Luis Obispo said efforts to exclude transgender students violate state and federal protections.
“This is about all people– it’s not about one person; it’s about the right to be who you are, and that is a sacrosanct part of what it means to be America, what it means to be in Title IX and what it means to follow law,” Hyman said.
Counter-protesters at the meeting declined to speak with KCBX. Most said they were not affiliated with any group.
Groups like Harvest Church and Moms for Liberty have argued that allowing transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity takes away privacy from other students.
During public comment, many speakers criticized Executive Order 14201, recently signed by President Trump, which aims to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.
However, other parents argued that allowing a transgender student to run on the girls' track team could put school sports funding at risk.
Board of Trustees Member Mike Fuller pushed back and said he does not believe the funding is at risk, as California is one of many states challenging federal actions.
“We’re one of the ones that are pushing back on federal laws,” Fuller said.
Before public comment began, board members emphasized that for now, the district will continue to uphold existing California laws which protect transgender students.
