Students protest bill they say could 'out' LGBTQIA+ youth in Moore County schools

Students walked out of Pinecrest High School Wednesday afternoon in protest of a policy that could potentially out young members of the LGBTQIA+ community to their parents.

On Monday, the Moore County Schools Board of Education passed the Parents’ Bill of Rights policy, which requires faculty members and teachers to notify a student’s legal guardian about a name or pronoun change before calling that student by the requested change.

The district will now require parents be notified if students ask to use different pronouns or names – even if students say they are not ready to tell their parents about their decision. Members of the school board the measure would protect the rights of parents.

But critics say that it would put LGBTQ+ students at risk. A similar measure is under consideration at the state level.

"It puts a lot of trans students in the line of fire or in danger from outing, forcibly outing, themselves to parents when they might have wanted a safe space at school with their teachers," said student Knox Butka.

Parent Ericka Street was among those who assembled in support of the student walkout.

"We're actually here for the kids whose parents don't support them. They're the ones who are targeted," she said.

Julie McNicol, parent of a freshman, said, "Sometimes children are going to approach peers and trusted adults outside of their family unit before going to their family."

English teacher Rebecca Beittel was the only member of the faculty to attend the protest.

She said, "The problem is, if this particular ruling is enacted it means there is no official safe adult at Moore County Schools that a trans kid can come and talk to because they can't know for sure that they won't report them back to their parents."

WRAL News reached out to the school district for a response to the protest. They have not yet responded.

Some parents said their kids were given an unexcused absence for participating in the walkout.

What does the 'Parents' Bill of Rights' do?

The change means teachers in Moore County Schools can no longer keep a student's decision to change gender pronouns a secret unless informing the parent puts the student in danger.

Supporters and opponents spoke about the policy, which passed with a 6-1 vote, in Monday night's board meeting.

People who oppose the policy voiced concerns that it targets the LGBTQIA+ community.

"If you think your policies can target just the gay and trans kids, you are wrong," one speaker said. "What children see done to their peers, they feel is done to them. Don't pass policies that target and marginalize kids. And don't pass policies that keep them from talking to their teachers."

North Carolina lawmakers are considering similar restrictions on pronoun changes for students. The state Senate has already passed a bill to put them in place.

Those in support of the policy say parents have a right to know these things and that the bill is meant to keep parents involved and in charge of what's happening with their children.