https://www.kake.com/story/50653908/wichita-east-students-walk-out-to-protest-antitrans-legislation
Thanks to Ali for the link.
This is what terrifies the fundamentalists and right wing. The acceptance and normalizing of kids / people who are not straight and not cis. Schools have long taught kids to get along with each other and to not bully those who are different. But republicans in red states want to change that teaching of acceptance and tolerance so they pass don’t say gay bills and anti-woke bills which simply mean get all representation of LGBTQ+ kids out of schools, libraries, and keep kids off social media. It means stopping positive representations of LGBTQ+ people and stopping anti-bullying programs. It means making LGBTQ+ kids targets of hate, anger, and labeling them as not normal. It is othering them so they can be mistreated. This is what it was like in the regressive past these older legislatures and fundamentalist religious leaders desperately want back. These people want a straight cis Christian world only, no one else will be allowed. Since these laws passed attacks on LGBTQ+ kids in schools and people in general have risen quickly. It is a green light to thug gang rule. Luckily the old kids won’t accept the intolerance and hate, but sadly it is working on the younger new students in schools. They are being taught to hate and not accept the ones who feel different. We have to stop these laws and reverse them. Please help get the word out. Please keep speaking up in support. The haters and religious people on the other side are driven, they won’t stop, they will fight hard. We have to also fight back as hard, and be louder than they are. Hugs. Scottie
https://www.kake.com/clip/15462622/wichita-east-students-walk-out-to-protest-anti-trans-legislation Is the link to the video.
Wichita East high schoolers used their first amendment rights and walked out of class Tuesday to stand up for transgender youth rights.
Dozens of Wichita East students made their voices heard at a walkout in protest of a piece of anti-trans legislation that bans minors from receiving gender affirming care. That piece of legislation is Senate Bill 233, and has already received approval from the Kansas House and Senate.
“This will cause suffering that cannot be overstated. This will cause suffering,” said sophomore Juan Carlos Garcia.
Garcia spoke up at the protest, to tell his peers about the importance of gender affirming care.
“I have hope that those I love and those that need it will get their treatment. I hope that they will feel comfortable and I know if this bill is passed then they won’t be able to,” said Garcia.
Miles Wilson organized the protest, and he shared his experience as a person in the transgender community.
“I thought I would not make it past 14, but I am 17 now,” said Miles Wilson, junior at East.
The students discussed how validating gender affirming care was, and in a world without gender affirming care, many believe that would lead to an increase of youth trans suicide.
“I hope that people learn that the students of East High are not going to stand for discrimination and oppression and we support the trans community and the cis kids here stand in solidarity with the trans community and the trans community here will not sit back and let people oppress us,” said Wilson.
The bill that started the protest is currently sitting on Governor Kelly’s desk awaiting approval or veto.
After chanting, holding signs, and having a great discussion, the students said the walk out was a success.
“We deserve to feel safe in our bodies, we deserve autonomy. We deserve happiness, we deserve to grow up,” said Wilson.
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