SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla -- Elena Stsiborkis, 25, doesn't want her baby boy to grow up in a school district where those born as girls who now identify as boys and vice versa can choose which restroom they want to use.
"What if something happens? What if a boy does something to a girl, or a girl to a boy? Why combine it?" she asked.
Stsiborkis was among the hundreds of people who came to a Sarasota County School Board meeting Tuesday night. Even though the issue of transgender bathrooms wasn't on the agenda, many wanted to talk and listen to a public comment period that included over 60 citiizens who signed up to speak.
Among them, the student who caused this emotional discussion. Nate Quinn was born a girl but now identifies as a boy and was eventually allowed to use the boys' restroom at Pine View School. The school changing its policy has caused controversy both among residents and some on the board. But Quinn says this issue is as big as a previous restroom controversy based on race 50 years ago.
"What is going on in Sarasota County is just as bad as race segregated bathrooms in the 1960s. Would that be okay again?" Quinn asked.
Those who agreed were told to wave their hands, but not clap, to cut down on the length of the meeting.
Board member Bridget Ziegler refused to take a stance on the issue--but one part she does feel strongly about, is Pine View's decision to go ahead and set its own policy to allow transgender restrooms.
"If any decision is made it should be at the board level," she said.
