In the realm of parental worries, we often think about our children’s safety from bullying, but it’s hard to imagine facing threats from other parents. Unfortunately, for one family in Oklahoma, this terrifying scenario is their reality. Their daughter, a transgender girl, is being openly threatened by local parents on a Facebook group.
The trouble began on her first day of seventh grade when she went to the bathroom. A mother from Achille, Oklahoma took to the Facebook group to express outrage over a 12-year-old girl using the girls’ restroom. Yes, you read that right—a pre-teen cannot even access a bathroom without facing backlash. The post read: “We have been told how the school has gone above and beyond to make sure he has his own restroom, yet he’s still using the girls.” First off, let’s clarify: it’s SHE. This girl is using the restroom that corresponds to her gender identity, and the idea that she’s doing anything inappropriate is simply absurd.
The mother further lamented, “How old is this thing?” and then ominously warned, “Hell with new laws and new rules, this is what our future is if WE don’t stop it.” Such comments certainly raise alarm bells. If someone were talking about my child in such a manner, I would be terrified. The language escalated with another comment suggesting that if this child wants to be female, “a good sharp knife will do the job really quick.” These are not just words; they are threats.
As the post circulated, community members began sharing screenshots, expressing solidarity with the targeted family. Many have rallied to support this girl and her right to attend school safely. According to reports, the girl’s mother has taken the step of filing a restraining order against one of the men who made these threats.
Kodi Taylor, a local comedian from a nearby town, voiced her outrage: “Our ADULT neighbors in Achille, OK are threatening to assault, mutilate, and KILL a trans child for wanting to simply use the bathroom. Just imagine if someone were saying these things about your child.” Taylor’s post quickly gained traction, leading to plans for a community march to show their support.
Within a few hours, Taylor’s message was shared hundreds of times, and people from various backgrounds joined the cause. “Our movement is love motivated. We do not condone any violence or acts of hate against the parents who threatened the child,” she emphasized. The aim is to ensure this young girl feels safe as she begins her school year.
In May 2016, President Obama issued guidance affirming that Title IX protects transgender students’ rights to use facilities aligned with their gender identity. However, under the current administration, the Department of Education has stated it will not investigate complaints from transgender students denied access to appropriate bathrooms. This lack of federal support emboldens discrimination.
The school has issued a generic statement regarding its zero-tolerance policy for bullying, but the local community is stepping up to protect the girl. They are collaborating with law enforcement and the school to ensure her safety.
Threats against a child, especially those that can be classified as hate speech, must be taken seriously. While it can be challenging to delineate between free speech and hate crimes, specific threats carry legal implications. As Vanita Gupta from the Justice Department stated, there must be intent and a sense of immediacy for such threats to be actionable.
In conclusion, it is unacceptable for any child to live in fear due to the ignorance and hate of others. Supporters are working hard to ensure that this young girl can attend school without experiencing threats and harassment.
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Summary: A disturbing incident in Oklahoma has emerged, where parents of a transgender pre-teen girl are threatening her safety over her bathroom usage. Community members are rallying in support of the girl to ensure her right to attend school peacefully amidst the hateful rhetoric from some adults.