ELMIRA HEIGHTS, N.Y. (WENY) -- Tensions ran high at the Elmira Heights Central School District school board meeting on Wednesday night. The school district did not comment on the matter, but according to social media posts, a transgender elementary student was reportedly denied access to a girl's bathroom by a teacher. The teacher is no longer with the district. Some people on social media agreed that the teacher was in the right by not allowing the student access to bathroom, while others came to the defense of the student, saying they're just a child and it's not their fault.
When asked if the school board could confirm or deny if such an incident occurred, Superintendent Michael F. Gill said, "We do not make comments about any students or staff circumstances."
Before the meeting, there was a rally in support of the elementary student, who is a trans female. During the meeting more than a dozen people signed up to speak during the comment portion. For some people, they shared personal experiences.
"I do not know the full details of this story and I do not know what exactly happened. That is not my business. I am not that parent and I am not this child, but if what is alleged is true, this is disgusting and heinous. You as teachers and as staff have a responsibility to make this school and this district a safe place for this student, and by allowing such actions to take place, you have failed. This is not the first time that this has happened and it most likely will not be the last, unfortunately," said one speaker.
"We as educators need to provide a healthy environment for our kids. All of our kids. Every single one, to live as their authentic selves, that's what most important as educators," said another speaker.
On the other side of the controversy, some people say they think that the teacher did the right thing by not allowing the child access to the girl's bathroom, and that the teacher should not be considered at fault for doing so.
"Public schools should not be promoting politicized views of sexual orientation and gender identity to their students," said one speaker.
"It comes down to the fact that women should be safe in women's restrooms, men should be safe in men's restrooms. It doesn't matter whether you are male or female, the opposite sex should not, and I mean should not coexist in the bathrooms. Have the unisex bathrooms for the safety of the ones who identify however they want to identify," said another speaker.
According to New York State Education Law, denying the use of restrooms or other facilities because of a person's gender identity is a violation and is considered unlawful discrimination. That information can be found in the document below on page 22.