The Lake Oswego School Board is implementing gender neutral restrooms at Lakeridge Middle School, and as a transgender teenager, I need you to understand how vital it is that you stand with trans kids right now and say YES to gender neutral restrooms! 

I know a great deal of trans kids in my community, both at Lakeridge and at Lake Oswego High School, where I'm now a senior. Almost every single trans person I know has either attempted suicide or been actively suicidal. Trans people in our community are struggling right now, and the lack of gender-neutral bathrooms sends a very visible message that our existence isn't valued, that we don't belong, and that we are not worth taking up space. As a result, so many trans teens I know, including myself, struggle to see how we can have a future when our existence is constantly denied and even attacked.

Having gender neutral restrooms would have meant the world to me as a younger trans teen--and it's vital that you don't put this off any longer.

With 41% of trans teens attempting suicide, I need you to take a look at the trans people in your community and wonder whether opposing gender neutral bathrooms is worth their lives.

For my future, and the future of all students at Lakeridge, we need you to stand up in support of trans kids and sign the petition for gender neutral restrooms at Lakeridge Middle School. 

-Elliott Lloyd

Senior at Lake Oswego High School