Parents, students look to prayer in response to Miss. transgender student
From Staff and Wire Reports

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2013/02/parents-students-look-to-prayer-in-response-to-transgender-miss-student/

BATESVILLE, Miss. — Hundreds of angry parents and citizens have joined a Facebook "prayer" page after a high school student in northern Mississippi came out as transgender.

The Facebook page, "Prayers for South Panola School District" had more than 500 "likes" as of Wednesday evening, and was launched Tuesday after a student, identified only as "Leah," began her transition by dressing according to her gender identity.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi said Wednesday it is working with the South Panola High School student to ensure a smooth transition for Leah, who is in the early stages of gender transformation.

-----

Community at odds over transgender transition at high school
Posted: Feb 26, 2013 12:00 AM EST Updated: Feb 26, 2013 1:21 PM EST
By Michael Clark

http://www.wlox.com/story/21348646/mid-south-community-at-odds-over-transgender-transition-at-local-high-school

"It was a big topic in the classrooms, everywhere, everyone has their own opinion," South Panola High student, Jabrea Joiner said.

Monday, South Panola High School students were buzzing about a transgender classmate who began what the ACLU called a 'transition'.

"The first step in that is really to start dressing according to your gender and today was about going to school and being able to be the person that she is," Mississippi ACLU Legal Director, Bear Atwood said.

-------


Students protest over transgender student's 'special treatment'
Posted: Feb 27, 2013 2:03 PM EST Updated: Feb 27, 2013 6:56 PM EST
By Justin Hanson

http://www.wlox.com/story/21415682/students-accuse-school-of-discrimination

Students are protesting what they call "special treatment" of a transgender student by wearing sweatpants and gym shorts to school. Students are protesting what they call "special treatment" of a transgender student by wearing sweatpants and gym shorts to school.

BATESVILLE, MS -

(WMC-TV) - The controversy over a transgender student at South Panola High School continues and this time, students are protesting.

About 30 to 40 students at the school say they were not allowed inside Wednesday because they were wearing gym shorts and sweatpants.

The kids violated the dress code in an effort to tell school officials that the special treatment of the transgender student is unfair. The kids say she is violating the dress code by not wearing clothing appropriate for her gender.

------

South Panola waives dress code for transgendered student
Feb. 27, 2013 11:41 PM
Written by Dustin Barnes

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20130228/NEWS01/302280044/South-Panola-waives-dress-code-transgendered-student?nclick_check=1

A transgendered high school senior who identifies as female will finish the school year in Mississippi wearing feminine clothes, drawing a local response to what some call is a dress code violation and national attention once again to the state over treatment of gays and lesbians.

The American Civil Liberties Union applauded South Panola school district for upholding the student's constitutional rights to expression, said Bear Atwood, legal counsel for the state's chapter.

The progress of the student — whom Atwood only identified as Leah — is being monitored by the ACLU, she added.

I really feel for that girl. Transition is hard enough without all the public garbage.

I wonder if there is some way to let her know about Susan's.

"special treatment": You have got to be kidding me! It must be so hard going by the dress code and having everything spoon fed to them. Is it equal that she doesn't have to quite follow the dress code? No, of course not, but with all the crap she is going through and the humiliation of having this spotlight put on her, that dress code is no big deal in comparison. I can't imagine how she feels right now, and this is exactly the reason I would have never transitioned while in high school or middle school. Usually when people make an example of "special treatment" it's for a good cause and it's trying to promote equality, but in this scenario a group of kids are trying to make her life even more miserable and it's pathetic. I don't care how old those kids are, they should be ashamed.

Quote from: EmmaS on February 28, 2013, 09:05:22 AM
I don't care how old those kids are, they should be ashamed.

I would go a little further than that but unfortunately it would be breaking a few laws.

Quote from: Snickerdoodle on February 28, 2013, 09:11:38 AM
I would go a little further than that but unfortunately it would be breaking a few laws.

I want to agree, but the diplomat in me knows it wouldn't help us in the long run =/

People are so silly! What are they praying for exactly? Thank god I didn't grow up in Mississippi. I thought I had it bad here when I was growing up but apparently I didn't. Even though I didn't go as far as she has I know it's not easy being out in high school in the south or anywhere.

Surely this large group should be disciplined for bullying/harassment/transphobia, transitioning is hard enough at the best of times.
With all the medical research about transgendered peoples brains being mapped out closer to the opposite gender to their bodies the school should make an effort to educate these narrow minded people that a person is defined by their brain & NOT their body.

Would these students define Steven Hawkins as a genius or just a man in a wheelchair? Just like the rest of the world it's what's between our ears that defines us & not the bag of flesh that keeps the brain alive.

Quote from: Jayne on February 28, 2013, 09:36:45 AM
Would these students define Steven Hawkins as a genius or just a man in a wheelchair? Just like the rest of the world it's what's between our ears that defines us & not the bag of flesh that keeps the brain alive.

No they would complain that he didn't have to stand up when the teacher entered the room and say it was special treatment.  Equality isn't about treating people the same it's about treating them equally because we are *not* all the same.

Damn Bible cultists!