LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — They say this lifestyle is hard enough without life exacting additional tolls on them. It’s why students walked out of school at both Dunbar and Lafayette High Schools on Friday morning.
“It’s very scary to have our rights taken away from us,” said Lafayette freshman, Noah Healander.
Healander, like many of his classmates here today, identifies as LGBTQ and he came to protest Senate Bill 150. In short, SB 150 would strip LBGTQ community members of many of their rights. It could also serve to violate their privacy. School teachers could essentially contact the parents of LGBTQ students and “out” them if they haven’t already had that difficult conversation.
“It’s hard on your mental health because you’re hiding yourself,” said sophomore Milo Callaway. Callaway said he’s already had that talk with his parents who were very supportive.
One student who spoke to the audience said you never know which day will be the day that you’ll be verbally harassed, or physically assaulted during a simple trip to the restroom.
“The point was to show legislators that we are here and we will not be quiet even though they continue to infringe on our rights,” said Joey Hester, a sophomore who spoke first today.
“I was outraged,” they stated when asked what they felt about SB 150.
Others are just saddened by the lack of empathy from those in Frankfort who support and voted for this bill.
“For a place that should be progressing and taking five steps forward, we take 10 steps back with these bills,” Callaway said.
“It’s stressful and scary. Not an easy journey to take,” Healander added.
Lafayette seemingly has a fairly large LGBTQ community, and the strength in their numbers is what is often times most beneficial to its members.
“Having so many supportive people here helps us with this cause,” Hester stated.
