A Tumwater High School basketball player named Frances Staudt revealed in a public meeting in front of everyone that she was warned of punishment after speaking out about what happened in her locker room.
She explained that last February, when she was only 15 years old, she found herself in a situation that made her feel unsafe.
An 18-year-old who was playing against her girls’ basketball team entered the locker room, and because of that, she chose not to play and decided to protect herself.
She told the audience that when she brought her concerns to her principal, Zach Suderman, and her athletic director, Jordan McGrath, she was told that her feelings didn’t matter.
According to the video, the school leaders refused to acknowledge her concerns, if not didn’t take any action to prevent the situation.
Frances said that after she described the individual as a man, she was investigated by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association in the Tumwater School District for harassment, bullying, and misgendering.
She further explained that she believes there are only two genders, male and female, and that her statement led to strong opposition from staff at her school.
Frances said that her guidance counselor, Anna Bush, wrote a letter against her to the district and the teachers’ union, and that other teachers, coaches, and administrators also posted messages on social media criticizing her.
After the incident, the basketball player revealed she was called names both in person and online. She told:
I was called horrible names that I cannot repeat to you guys
Frances Staudt
Let alone names, she was told to go to hell, people threatened to show up at her house, and along the way lost several friends. She said:
I received more hate than you can imagine, both in person and online, from people that are hiding behind their screens and trying to make me feel bad for standing up for myself and other girls.
Frances Staudt
Finally, Frances told the group in front of the meeting that her principal warned her that if she ever spoke out in this way again, she would face further discipline and progressive consequences.
Shannon Williams Maye, who was present while she revealed all this, commented on her video, writing:
I was there. This girl and the two others who spoke on their experience were fantastic! I was proud of them and all the dads who showed up to protect them while they had their say.
Shannon Williams Maye
The police presence was very heavy because of the threats. Imagine threatening teenage girls for saying NO.
