South LA Public School Offers Gender Neutral Restrooms After Students Organize

FEATURING JOSE LARA – HB2, the so-called “bathroom bill” in North Carolina that bars transgender people from using the restroom of their choice, has been dubbed “Hate Bill 2” by its detractors. Mass protests have drawn national attention to the issue and the Justice Department has launched a lawsuit against the state based on violations of people’s constitutional rights.

The repercussions are serious, with stories popping up on social media of people being kicked out of bathrooms all over the nation by police and civilians on suspicion of being transgender.

Now, one public high school in South Los Angeles has taken matters into its own hands. Students with the Santee Education Complex’s Gay-Straight Alliance, successfully organized to launch the school district’s first “Gender Neutral” restroom.

Jose Lara, Dean of Santee Education Complex, long-time social justice activist.