CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. \u2014 A Clayton County high school student is asking school and state education officials to change the rules governing who can run for homecoming court after she says she was barred from running for homecoming queen.<\/p>\n
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks<\/a>]<\/p>\n Riley Williams, a transgender girl who attends Charles R. Drew High School, started an online petition<\/a> calling for changes to the way students are allowed to participate in homecoming court.<\/p>\n The petition had collected 1,055 verified signatures as of Wednesday.<\/p>\n Williams says she was prevented from running for homecoming queen because of a policy requiring students to participate in gender-specific homecoming court positions based on the gender listed in their official school records.<\/p>\n The petition calls for the policy to be repealed and for schools to allow students to participate in activities such as homecoming court based on their gender identity.<\/p>\n \u201cSchool should be a place of acceptance, where every student can express themselves freely and authentically,\u201d Williams wrote in the petition.<\/p>\n Williams also cites discrimination against transgender students in educational settings and says her experience shows the impact such policies can have on students.<\/p>\n TRENDING STORIES:<\/p>\n The petition asks state education officials and local school boards to take action, arguing that changes would allow transgender students to participate in school activities on an equal basis.<\/p>\n Clayton County Public Schools said the district is committed to making students feel welcome and respected, but also said it must comply with the current federal interpretation and enforcement of Title IX.<\/p>\n Clayton County Public Schools shared the following statement with Channel 2 Action News:<\/p>\n \u201cClayton County Public Schools (CCPS) is committed to providing a welcoming and supportive learning environment where every student is treated with dignity and respect. In doing so, we recognize and respect the individual identities and expressions of our students.<\/p>\n However, we also must acknowledge the District\u2019s responsibility to comply with applicable federal requirements. As a public school system, CCPS is required to operate in accordance with federal law, regulations, and guidance. Under the current federal interpretation and enforcement of Title IX, gender-based distinctions are recognized based on biological sex.<\/p>\n Accordingly, where participation in a school activity involves a designation based specifically on gender, the District relies upon the birth gender reflected in a student\u2019s official educational records in making that determination, and not gender identity. So, while the District does not have a policy that speaks to students participating in Homecoming Court based on gender identity, we adhere to the current practice of allowing that participation in accordance with traditional birth gender.<\/p>\n We remain committed to supporting all students and fostering school communities where all students feel valued as members of the CCPS community. To that end, CCPS respects the right of students to express their individual identities, as we balance the requests of our student population individually and\/or collectively and legal matters affecting the district as a whole.\u201d<\/p>\n Williams\u2019 petition remains open for signatures<\/a>.<\/p>\n