School district investigates after teaching assistant tells trans student: ‘You’re not a girl’

A trans student in Texas has filed a complaint after saying a teaching assistant rudely challenged her for using the women’s bathroom.

The student, Ishy Valdez, is filing a complaint with the Castleberry school district about the confrontation which took place on Wednesday.

According to Fox4, the student and her mother have already spoken to the school district.

The Castleberry ISD is looking into the complaint.

While the teaching assistant works for the Castleberry district, the incident took place on a college campus.

The exchange took place on a trip to Tarrant County College on which the assistant was a chaperone

According to the student: “She said, ‘Ismael, don’t start because I already have an issue with you using the women’s restroom,’”

“’The point is this is the women’s restroom, and you’re not a girl.’ It became very personal.”

“In the women’s bathroom, I do feel more comfortable,” Valdez says. “I never get a second look.”

Valdez began transition two years ago.

“I won’t let someone’s views on me change the ways I live my life,” she said.

She went on to say the teaching assistant said she would speak to the school principal about the exchange.

A fellow student recorded part of the conversation.

Valdez’s mother Blanca Rodriguez says: “She cannot just go around and judge them because she doesn’t agree with it.

“I feel like if she goes into the men’s restroom there’s more of a possibility of somebody hurting her.”

Statements have been taken by the school, and the teaching assistant has no longer been chaperoning the trips, says Valdez.

• Dec 01 2023

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