he Minnesota State High School League approved a policy to provide support for transgender students wishing to play on sports teams matching their gender identity. The policy assists schools facing these situations but is not a requirement, according to Dave Stead, executive director of the MSHSL. Athletic director Andy Ewald said Park will proactively respond to the guidelines. “I think it’s something bigger for us as a district to sit down and look at (the policy),” Ewald said. Roxanne Anderson is the associate director of transgender organizing at Outfront Minnesota, an organization working for LGBTQA+ rights. Anderson said Outfront Minnesota supports the policy, but thinks it could be more forceful. “It was a courageous effort on the part of the MSHSL,” she said. “(But) I feel like the policy could have been a little stronger.” Freshman Thomas Bryant said he welcomes the policy. “This is a big step in an often forgotten part of the LGBTQA+ movement,” Bryant said. “It signifies an awesome shift in recognizing students’ identities.”
n uncommon occurrence at the high school took place when 36 students raised their hands and walked out. The protest began at 12:01 p.m. Dec. 1, which was the time Michael Brown was shot Aug. 9. In preparation for the protest, students huddled in the foyer, gathering homemade signs before they left. Freshman DaeBreona Byrdie said she believes bringing these issues to light in the protest is an important step. “It doesn’t affect just adults it also affects us,” she said. “Being around a bunch of other kids, showing them we can speak out peacefully is as important as showing adults.” However, not all students thought this was necessary. Senior Alexander Jonas said he thinks the protest did not accomplish anything.
“There’s hundred of cases every day where a white cop arrests a black person and in this case the media just fueled the fire,” Jonas said. Despite the dissenting opinions, students carried out their march. While filing out of the school, they were hit by icy winds and temperatures as low as 8 degrees. Despite the weather, freshman Alex Monson said she wasn’t deterred. “It proves the point that we believe strongly in this issue. I didn’t just walk out in 8 degree weather just do it so I can skip class,” Monson said. Principal Scott Meyers said while the school was not involved in the protest, the administration was concerned for the safety of the students. However, they continued like a normal day. “We have to keep proper attendance. We are going to follow protocol as far as students being absent,” Meyers said. “The school isn’t really involved. It’s student led, we just want to make sure students are safe.” Students walked from the high school to the Hennepin County Library,
protesting with chants. Junior Cedar Thomas led the chants, which consisted of phrases such as “Hands up, Don’t Shoot” and “No justice. No peace. Prosecute the police.” When they reached the library, the students met in a conference room they had reserved and sat in a circle. They began their meeting by singing “We Shall Overcome.” After the song, each student shared their reason for participating in the walkout.