A growing debate over how schools should protect and support transgender students has intensified in the Amphitheater community, where parents, educators and advocates are clashing over bathroom access, student safety and the district’s legal obligations under federal civil rights law.

Hundreds of community members packed a recent Amphitheater Unified School District Governing Board meeting, filling the seats and lining the walls. Many attendees were there to support trans youth, listening closely as they waited for their chance to speak.

Turning Point USA, a nonprofit that advocates for conservative politics on high school and college campuses, has been active on social media over the past month, encouraging followers to protest the district’s policy allowing students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity.

Superintendent Todd Jager opened the meeting by sharing an update on the district’s planned closures of  Copper Creek, Donaldson, Nash and Holaway elementary schools before addressing the call to action related to transgender students.

“I need to be absolutely clear: this is not about ideology, nor is it about the volitional policy of this district,” Jager said. “This is instead, quite simply, about our non-negotiable legal obligation to follow the law.”

Jager reminded the crowd that laws exist to protect transgender students, including Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in any educational program or activity.

A handful of attendees were at the meeting as a result of Turning Point’s call to action, including Ezikiel Medina.

“(I’m here to) try to come up with a solution for transgender people using the preferred sex bathrooms because I feel like it's inappropriate,” Medina said. “It could also be a safety hazard.”

Attendee Kimberly McAllister shared similar concerns aimed at one district high school.

“I'm here today because I care about the next generation, and I believe that every single student in our public schools deserves to be valued and protected,” McAllister said. “I feel like every single one of us in this room here tonight would agree with that, but this is not happening at CDO High School. I am here to request that you address the situation at CDO High School where there is a biological boy using the girls' restroom.”

Not everyone shared those views, and many parents spoke in defense of trans students and challenged the narrative McAllister described.

“I am the mother of a trans youth, and with that unique perspective, I have a little bit of insight on some of the concerns that get brought up at these meetings, specifically around bathroom safety and locker room safety,” Chris Lopez told Tucson Spotlight. “What we heard in our own district board meetings a couple of years ago…were concerns about male students going into the bathroom with female students, which is not the case. It never happened at our district, although certain people would show up to our board meetings continually claiming that this was a danger to students.”

Lopez said she wants people to see her son as more than just a transgender individual.

“It’s very worrisome. I always want him to be safe, obviously, and it makes me sad because people look at him as only a trans person, and his identity is so much beyond that,” she said. “He's an amazing person. He’s very empathetic. He’s always willing to help anyone out if they need it, including some of the people that would speak against him.”

Mike Lippman, a former University of Arizona professor, told Tucson Spotlight he attended the meeting because of the gravity of the situation.

“The cornerstone of a democracy is a good education, so I am here to fiercely defend education and make sure I support the school’s choices to make sure everyone’s education is good, fair and free,” Lippman said.

Hazel Heinzer, a licensed marriage and family therapist and Amphi parent, came to show support and emphasized the importance of diversity.

“Diversity makes us stronger. Being in school with kids who are different from them have helped my kids learn creative and critical thinking, how to better communicate and collaborate with others, problem-solving skills, and basic caring and kindness,” Heinzer said.

Rebecca Anderson echoed those sentiments, explaining to board members why inclusivity is important.

“I believe when we honor transgender students for who they are, when we believe them when they tell us who they are, that we are literally saving lives,” Anderson said. “We are telling them that they matter, that we want them at school, and we want them in this world.”

Nya Belcastro is a University of Arizona student and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at nya2005@arizona.edu.

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