Hundreds of students marched out of a Hillsboro, Missouri high school Monday to protest the use of the girl’s restrooms by a transgender student. Perry was “locked” in Principal Cathy Freeman’s office during the protest to ensure her safety.

Senior Lila Perry, who was born male but has identified as female since she was 13, asked school officials at Hillsboro High School in Hillsboro, Missouri, to use the girls’ locker during gym class, but her request was met with fierce backlash from other students uncomfortable with the idea.

Since the protests, she dropped out of PE and will have no need to use the girl’s locker room now. “I don’t believe for a second that they are”, Perry said.

Perry’s supporters, which consist of members of the school’s gay-straight alliance, claimed they did not feel safe returning to school, while those in opposition to Perry’s request left school as a continuation to the protest.

Lila Perry, the student at the center of the controversy, was born male, but instead identifies as a girl. Parents who complained to the school board suggested that Perry is using her gender identity as a ruse to gain access to the girl’s locker room so she can prey on fellow students.

The Hillsboro High School transgender bathroom walkout occurred shortly after a standing room only school board meeting.

“Boys needs to have their own locker room”. “I feel these girls have a right to their own privacy”, child said. “I wasn’t hurting anyone and I didn’t want to feel segregated out”, she said.

“The girls have rights, and they shouldn’t have to share a bathroom with a boy”, parent Tammy Sorden said. “I’m not trying to be ignorant, but [the transgender student] is bringing it out in public for everybody else to deal with”.

Matthew Tharrett is a writer, filmmaker, diehard Britney stan, and former record-breaking diva in a previous life.

What do you think about the Hillsboro High School transgender bathroom debate and the refusal by Perry to use the unisex bathroom?