At a heated school board meeting, tensions erupted when a father, Mr. Matthews, delivered a fiery speech condemning the board for failing to protect the privacy and safety of young girls in school bathrooms. Speaking alongside his 8-year-old daughter, he described how she felt uncomfortable when a boy was allowed to use the same restroom. In a striking moment, he asked her directly if she wanted a boy to watch her, and she firmly replied, “No.”
Accusations of Cowardice
Mr. Matthews used this exchange to argue that even a child could recognize boundaries the board was ignoring. He accused members of cowardice, claiming they hid behind Title IX and feared losing federal funding more than protecting students. He warned of potential dangers, saying if something happened to his daughter in a restroom, the board would be responsible.
Proposing what he called simple solutions, Matthews suggested either creating a separate bathroom for transgender students or allowing them to use staff restrooms. His words sparked applause from parents, underscored ongoing divisions, and highlighted a national debate over balancing safety, privacy, and federal requirements.
