Trans student faces instant karma after filming 'sexual harassment' in the boys' locker room
A transgender student filmed three boys in a Virginia high school locker room who he claimed were bullying him for his gender identity.
But his attempt to ostracize them backfired when parents of the accused tormenters and the state's governor questioned why the three boys were being filmed inside the locker room in the first place.
Earlier this month, Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) launched a Title IX investigation after the trans student recorded a friend group that was uncomfortable with a biological female being in the changing room.
Stone Bridge High School, where the video was taken, is probing the incident as a sexual harassment case.
The video, obtained exclusively by ABC 7 on Friday, reveals what truly transpired in the locker room.
The families of the teens accused of harassment were allegedly denied copies of the footage at first.
As the video depicts, the transgender boy seemingly walks into the locker room with his phone in his pocket, sparking a reaction from the teens inside, prompting them to speak among themselves.
'There's a girl in here? There's a girl?' one boy is heard asking.
About 30 seconds later, another boy adds, 'Why is there a girl? I'm so uncomfortable there is a girl.'
'A female, bro, get out of here,' someone says.
Then, the trans takes his phone out of his pocket and point it directly at the students who were making the comments.
Parents were finally able to obtain the video through the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office (LCSO), which has the video because officers are investigating if the trans student committed a crime by recording minors in the dressing room.
LCPS explicitly bans locker room recordings, but in an email to Wolfe, a representative allegedly told him the video did not compromise anyone's privacy.
The parents have questioned why the student behind the camera is not being penalized for violating their privacy.
'I have a daughter that's in high school as well, and if there was a male in there videotaping her in the locker room, I would have issues,' Seth Wolfe, a father of one of the accused, told ABC 7.
'If it's my son and there's a female in the locker room videotaping, I have issues. Even if it was somebody of the same sex, I believe that this is an invasion of their privacy.'
Wolfe also claimed the LCPS investigator tried to grill his son into confession to something he did not do.
'They didn't show us the video until after they had tried to get my son to say who said what and all this kind of stuff,' Wolfe told the outlet.
'But then once we saw the video, then we started asking about those context questions and how that can be left out. And they didn't really have a good answer for that.'
'I don't even think the Title IX investigation is justified,' Renae Smith, another boy's mothers, told ABC 7.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has released a statement expressing 'outrage' over reports that LCPS is investigating the three male students.
'It's deeply concerning to read reports of yet another incident in Loudoun County schools where members of the opposite sex are violating the privacy of students in locker rooms,' Youngkin said.
'Even more alarming, the victims of this violation are the ones being investigated - this is beyond belief.'
He asked Attorney General Jason Miyares to look into the situation.
A lawyer hired to represent the three boys, Josh Hetzler, told NBC4 these kinds of allegations can be detrimental to the futures of young men.
'These have a way of really stigmatizing them, especially when they're unfounded like this one,' he told the outlet.
The latest to break their silence on the matter is Pastor Gary Hamrick of Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg.
'Enough is enough,' he said, addressing thousands of service attendees on Sunday.
He urged congregants to show support for the boys' families and attend school board hearings about the sexual harassment case.
LCPS previously told DailyMail.com that allegations aired in the media are 'false', but said due to their ongoing investigation they could not clarify which points were incorrect.
'To be absolutely clear: Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) would not investigate or discipline students based on their personal opinions, thoughts, or beliefs, provided those expressions do not violate policies prohibiting hate speech, discriminatory language, threats, or other forms of harmful or disruptive conduct,' the school said in a statement.
'However, LCPS does investigate and may take disciplinary action when student behavior violates LCPS' Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook for Families and Student Code of Conduct.
'Because this matter could result in discipline, LCPS will not discuss the specifics of the incident publicly.
'Student privacy is a fundamental right protected by both policy and law, and LCPS is firmly committed to upholding that principle without exception.
'Our decision not to comment on the matter should not be taken as license for any news organization to determine what the facts are without verification.'
LCPS' policy allows trans students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their identities.
But a board member, Deana Griffiths, told ABC 7 changes must be made to the rules to ensure all children feel safe and protected in schools.
She said this problem stemmed from even creating an environment where biological males and females could share the same vulnerable spaces.
'What we are seeing and will continue to see, are the consequences of policies that have introduced confusion and conflict into spaces that were once clear and safe—especially for young children,' she wrote.
'The truth is, many of these issues would never have arisen if we had upheld the basic principle that boys and girls are biologically different.'
Miyares' office is investigating the Title IX case at Stone Bridge High School.
The US Department of Education is investigating LCPS and four other Virginia school districts for their policies allowing students to use private spaces based on identity not biological sex.
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The Guardian
16 minutes ago
- The Guardian
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Daily Mail
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
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The Independent
22 minutes ago
- The Independent
Is it safe to travel to LA as protests and looting erupts across US city?
Protests against President Donald Trump 's immigration enforcement raids have continued throughout the week, escalating into violent clashes between demonstrators and police. Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass says that looters and vandals have 'taken advantage' of Trump's 'chaotic escalation' in response to the protests, causing her to activate a curfew in the downtown area. While the curfew caused crowds to disperse, protests have spilt over into other US cities, including San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Austin and New York City. The president ordered thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles this week, and as they arrived, California Governor Gavin Newsom urged citizens to 'not take the bait' and stay calm. National Guard troops guarded federal government buildings, while police and protesters clashed in separate demonstrations across Los Angeles over federal immigration raids by ICE. Los Angeles County attracts both domestic and foreign tourists to its eclectic mix of neighbourhoods, each with its own unique character, from larger-than-life Hollywood to the shiny high-rises of Downtown LA and the bohemian spirit of Venice Beach. With millions of tourists visiting the glitzy coastal city region each year, here is what you need to know as a visitor while tensions remain high over Trump's immigration enforcement. Why are there protests in LA? Protests started after the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted search warrants at multiple locations on Friday. Crowds tried to stop ICE agents from driving away following the arrests of 188 people. Another protest then erupted outside a federal building in downtown LA, when demonstrators found that detainees were allegedly being held in the basement of the building. Meanwhile, protests sparked in Paramount after it appeared federal officers were conducting another immigration operation in the area. The demonstrations spread to the nearby city of Compton, as well as outside a federal detention center, with protestors chanting, "Set them free, let them stay!" Has there been violence? Footage showed an escalation in the clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement, with police in riot gear using tear gas to disperse the crowds over the weekend. Other videos showed protesters throwing fireworks and projectiles at officers, while images captured vehicles on fire. Los Angeles police declared several rallies to be "unlawful assemblies", accusing some protesters of throwing concrete projectiles, bottles and other items at police. Rubber bullets have also been fired by police to try to disperse protesters, with an Australian television journalist and a British photographer hit by the crowd-control rounds. In a press briefing, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief Jim McDonnell said that 27 arrests had been made Sunday, and warned clashes were 'getting increasingly worse and more violent'. The LAPD also said early Monday morning that there had been reports of looting in the city; however, by the evening, protests had quelled and violent clashes had dropped. Authorities enforced the curfew in the city between 8pm Tuesday and 6pm Wednesday, with Mayor Bass warning that anyone who failed to comply would be detained. The LAPD said that it made 'mass arrests' after the restriction was imposed. The day after the protests started, Mr Trump ordered the deployment of at least 2,000 National Guard troops to LA. The state National Guard has not been federalised by a president, overriding a governor, since 1965. On Monday, Trump then ordered the deployment of a 700-strong US Marine battalion and doubled the number of troops, sending a further 2,000 on the ground in LA. Californian authorities are urging calm and calling out the president for the 'unnecessary' action that was designed to create 'chaos' and 'a spectacle'. California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X: 'Don't give Donald Trump what he wants.' 'Speak up. Stay peaceful. Stay calm. Do not use violence and respect the law enforcement officers that are trying their best to keep the peace,' he wrote. 'Don't take the bait. Never use violence or harm law enforcement.' What is the government's advice? The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has warned travellers of demonstrations and protests taking place in Los Angeles. 'Media reports suggest the police response has included use of flash-bangs, tear gas, pepper balls, and rubber/sponge bullets,' it wrote. It advises people to 'monitor local media and follow the advice of the local authorities, plan ahead to avoid disruption and stay away from crowds and demonstrations'. The FCDO also has general advice on protests that occur in the US: 'Protests are common and can become violent. Follow the instructions of local authorities who may introduce curfews or emergency orders.' Can I cancel my holiday to LA? As the Foreign Office has not warned against travel to the US, there will be no special circumstances in place to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund. The conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so it's best to contact them if you're looking to postpone. There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim on your travel insurance due to safety concerns unless government advice changes.
