CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A student at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) claims that campus security discriminated against and humiliated her for being transgender.
Andraya Williams, 22, was exiting the women’s restroom when a security officer requested to see the transgender student’s school identification, while also asking if Williams was male or female. Williams claims she obliged the guard and revealed her student ID; however, the female security officer called for backup, WCNC.com reported.
Williams said she was escorted off campus and was told that she was suspended. School officials allegedly told the transgender student that she would only be allowed back if she used the gender neutral restroom. Additionally, she was asked to bring medical proof of being a female if she wanted to use the ladies’ restroom.
A CPCC spokesperson said that the guard was looking out for the safety of other students when she thought she saw a man dressed as a woman going into the restroom. Additionally, he stated that Williams was never suspended, but only in trouble for not showing her student ID.
The representative also noted that CPCC is beginning to recognize and understand the needs of transgender students and that the school is working toward balancing those needs.
Williams is currently considering filing a formal complaint and hopes to receive an apology from the school.
