CHARLOTTE, NC– A freshman music major at CPCC says she’s afraid of using the bathroom out of fear of being harassed again. Andraya Williams, a 22-year-old student, identifies as transgender. She says she felt humiliated, embarrassed, and upset after a campus security officer harassed her for using the women’s bathroom on March 18th.
“She just walked in, we crossed paths, and she stopped me based on the way I look,” says Williams. “She straight-up asked me if I were male or female, and I answered ‘female.’ She still asked to see my ID and I was actually already in the process of calling my attorney.”
Williams says after showing her ID, she was escorted off school property and asked not to come back until further notice. After she was suspended, Williams says she attempted to file a complaint will the CPCC’s Title 9 coordinator. She says she was told that she had “no legal rights as a transgender” and was not allowed to file a complaint.
Two days later, Williams and her attorney met with the Dean of CPCC. Williams says he retracted her suspension. “He did tell me that I had to use the gender-neutral restrooms unless I brought in medical documentation saying that I was female,” says Williams. “No one else has to bring in medical documentation to use the restroom.”
Sultan Shakir with the Humans Rights Campaign is calling for the college to adopt a stronger non-discrimination policy. “This situation has less to do with the bathroom and more to do with the student feeling comfortable on campus,” says Shakir. “There needs to be a campus climate worked on so that all students on campus understand that she is allowed to use the female restroom as a female.”
WCCB reached out to CPCC. The college released a statement saying, in part: “The College has examined its policies and procedures, and we are certain that they are in compliance with current laws.” Β Williams’ attorney, Sarah Demarest with the LGBTQ Law Center, says they are considering filing a complaint with the Board Of Education’s office of Civil Rights. Time Out Youth Center and other local LGBT organizations are holding a rally in support of Williams. Students and community members are expected to gather at noon on Friday, April 4th at the corner of Elizabeth Ave and Kings Drive.
