Walking Out for Transgender Rights

Students at Woodstock Union High School Middle School recently took a stand for Transgender and LGBTQ+ rights with an organized walk out from 1:00-1:30 Thursday March 31st in order to protest anti- Trans laws instituted in Florida, as well as discrimination in our own school. Members of the community took to the school parking lot and expressed concerns, emotions and frustrations with issues posed by transphobia throughout the U.S. and in our home towns.

The rally started peacefully as the middle/ high school Queer Straight Alliance organized multiple public speakers to share there stories with the group some providing literature, others simply telling the crowd about themselves.

Senior Mars Sell shared their story with the group. Mars explained what their family history was like and how it affected their coming out. “Fortunately I come from an accepting home, unfortunately many LGBTQ+ people do not and the reality is many come from unaccepting families, I want to highlight these narratives,” Mars said. They then read “Song For The Kicked Out” by Kay Ulanday Barret , based around existence as a Trans person without an accepting family.

Freshman Lili Morris also read a poem entitled “X Marks The Spot “ by Kaitlyn Alexander. Junior Sam Leggett said the poems were “the part that stood the most out to me… both were great poems, very relevant, and were recited well.”

Students from 7th through 12th grade participated in the rally with many saying they admired the courage and respected the students for speaking out. “I was very impressed by everyone's willingness to be so vulnerable, it takes a lot of strength and courage to do that. I look up to everyone who organized and took part in the walk out and was very lucky to get to witness it,” Senior Grace Scibetta said.

Unfortunately, 15 minutes into the protest, student presenters were interrupted by an individual who screamed “FAGS!” and ran inside. The student was unseen as they hid inside before others could identify the culprit; however the rally continued and further issues were avoided.

Students also heard the story of Gabriella Netsch, a long standing member of the Rutland community who is Transgender. The private drivers education teacher told her story to the group inspiring many with her life story and struggles with transitioning. “I was really inspired by her and the fact that she was so far in her life living in the wrong body; she is really brave for transitioning and I admire her for it,” Senior Hailey Cannon said.

In addition to planned speakers, a number of students took advantage of the Open Mic at the end to share their stories and to thank people for their support.