Parents express outrage over the school’s new gender-neutral bathroom
Parents Protest Gender-Neutral Bathroom at Virginia High School
At Christiansburg High School (CHS), a new gender-neutral bathroom sparked backlash from parents concerned about student privacy and safety. The open-plan restroom aims to make students “feel more comfortable,” but critics argue it could lead to bullying and emotional harm.
Alecia Vaught, a CHS grandmother, said, “Could you imagine just starting your period and not being able to get what you need?” She called the setup a “complete invasion of privacy for our girls.”
The school defends the design, saying it features private floor-to-ceiling stalls. “Bathrooms are one of the highest anxiety areas for students,” said architect Josh Bower. The school’s policy supports access based on gender identity.
Online, reactions ranged from outrage—“This is ridiculous, unsafe, and just wrong”—to comparisons with home bathrooms. The debate continues over whether the change supports inclusion or creates new risks for students.
