On Tuesday, Sept. 27, students all over Virginia staged walkouts over recent controversial model policies from the Virginia Department of Education. These guidelines include policies that force students to only use the bathroom, locker rooms, and other school facilities that align with the sex they were assigned at birth. Additionally, students are required to have parent permission to change their names and pronouns. These changes have been the subject of heated debate from youth and educators across Virginia.

“It was really shocking, because just last year, we finally got gender-neutral bathrooms, and the school became even more aware and accommodating,” junior Myles Ostovari said. 

Ostovari and junior Bennett Koch organized the walkout with the permission of the school administration. “Rock Ridge and the staff were so accommodating,” Ostovari said. “They were totally supportive. The morning of the walkout, we walked up to Mr. Duellman [and said] ‘hey, we’re doing a walkout,’ and he said ‘awesome, sounds cool, just meet at the track.” 

News of the walkout primarily spread through social media sites and word of mouth. “We just started texting people,” Koch said. “I put it on my story, Myles put it on his story, and during school, I stood at the front of my classes and let them know.” 

At the walkout, Ostovari and Koch spoke briefly about the premise of the walkout before inviting other students to the microphone to speak. Sophomore Mars Foley spoke at the walkout about the importance of protecting LGBTQ+ youth in schools. “I was very excited; obviously going down to speak was nerve wracking, because I kept forgetting my words,” Foley said. “But I was proud of myself for saying what I needed to, and I was proud of everyone for using their voices.” 

Although many of the students impacted by this legislation are unable to enact change by voting, they advocate for the community to come together and create a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ youth. “The best thing we can do, because right now it’s kind of out of our control, is maintaining safe spaces with our trans friends and trying to make sure they feel ok and they’re safe,” Koch said.