Lexington high school students stage walkouts over anti-LGBTQ legislation

Students at Lexington’s Paul Laurence Dunbar and Lafayette high schools began school-wide walkouts Friday morning to protest anti-transgender and anti-LGBTQ bills moving through the Kentucky General Assembly.

Students at Lafayette High School began leaving the building around 10:45 a.m. and returned to school around 11:15 a.m.

Students at Dunbar were walking out just before 11 a.m. A flyer posted on the Dunbar Theatre Facebook page said the school walkout was protesting “the bills being passed against trans and LGBTQ+ people.”

“I Want My Rights Back Right Now,” the flyer said.

The Facebook post said students participating in the walkout would have an excused absence if they attended classes later Friday.

Walkouts over the anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ bills have occurred at other schools in Kentucky or are planned. A crowd also rallied at the Kentucky Capitol over the issue.

Multiple bills have been introduced that have been criticized as anti-transgender and anti-LGBTQ bills. One of which includes Sen. Max Wise’s bill, Senate Bill 150, which would allow teachers to choose if they want to use a students’ pronouns, has passed the full state Senate.

Wise has made efforts to defend his bill, saying that there is “misinformation” surrounding it. He previously said the bill doesn’t prevent school personnel from counseling children, and also said it doesn’t target or condemn lifestyles.

Fayette schools’ district officials did not immediately comment Friday morning.

At Lafayette High School, hundreds of students walked out of class Friday morning and met in the back parking lot for a rally.

Multiple LGBTQ students spoke at the rally, sharing their personal experiences and disapproval of Senate Bill 150.

“The point was to show the legislators that we’re here and we will not be quiet, even though they continue to try and infringe on our rights,” said Joey Hester, a sophomore at Lafayette.

Milo Calloway, another LGBTQ student at Lafayette, said the turnout for the rally was better than expected. Having that support meant a lot to Calloway and other students.

“The fact that our school came together truly in a moment where everybody needed to, they really showed up and it was amazing,” Calloway said.

Calloway, along with Hester, believes the message they wanted to share got across Friday. They’re hoping it helps slow down the momentum of the bill.

“Having so many supportive people here at Lafayette really helps us with this cause and helps us to fight these bills and get our rights back,” Hester said.

Dunbar students say they’re protesting SB 150, HB 470

Dozens of students walked out of Dunbar’s building. Some were wrapped in colorful capes and waving the LGBTQ flag.

Ace Courtad, a sophomore, said they were protesting against Senate Bill 150 and House Bill 470, a bill that bars gender transition services for minors. Courtad said the protest “signifies a little bit of defiance because these laws are specific to schools.”

Several students held signs outside the school. One said, ”Love thy neighbor.” Another said, “Love is love.”

“We think its important that we get our voices out there for what a lot of us kids stand for when it comes to this kind of debate,” said Samantha Petrey, a 10th grader.

Lio Pinson, a freshman, said the bills are “really harmful.”

“People should be able to live safely and happily,” Pinson said.

Dunbar students returned to the school building just before 11:38 a.m.

This story was originally published February 24, 2023 at 11:24 AM.