A routine school board meeting in Davis, California, turned into a dramatic scene when a local activist removed her clothing to protest policies allowing transgender students to use girls’ locker rooms.
The incident took place on September 18 during a Davis Joint Unified School Board session discussing junior high locker room rules.
Beth Bourne, 50, chair of Moms for Liberty in Yolo County, explained she wanted board members to feel the same vulnerability she believes students experience under the district’s current policies.
The Controversial Protest
Bourne began her remarks by removing her shirt to reveal a bikini top underneath, telling the board, “So I’m just going to give you an idea what it looks like when I undress.”
She criticized the policy allowing children to select bathrooms and locker rooms based on gender identity, claiming it created discomfort and risk for students required to undress for physical education.
When Bourne removed her pants, one trustee intervened, telling her, “No, you cannot.”
Bourne responded, insisting she was wearing a bathing suit and arguing that her actions were permitted.
Meeting Disrupted
Vice President Hiram Jackson, who was leading the meeting in place of Board President Joe DiNunzio, called a recess in an effort to regain order.
Bourne continued shouting about her First Amendment rights before her microphone was cut off.
Once the meeting resumed, Bourne was allowed to finish her remarks fully clothed, with Jackson warning her that further disruption would result in her being asked to leave.
Despite this, Bourne again removed her shirt when she was given the floor, forcing a second recess. Eventually, police escorted her out of the building.
Official Response
Board President DiNunzio issued a statement emphasizing that public presentations must follow certain procedures and that disruptive conduct allows the chairperson to pause meetings and request removal.
By 7:15 p.m., a police report was filed accusing Bourne of “disturbing the peace,” a potential misdemeanor under California Penal Code 403.
Trustee Cecilia Escamilla-Greenwald said the board is reviewing how to handle such incidents in the future, including consulting legal counsel to prevent similar disruptions.
Bourne Defends Her Actions
Bourne, however, maintains that her First Amendment rights were infringed.
Speaking to CBS News, she said she felt extreme measures were necessary to get the board’s attention, noting she has addressed the board monthly for three years regarding locker room policies.
“I wanted to give them more of a visual, what does it really look like changing and what would it feel like to have somebody of the opposite sex watching you change,” Bourne explained.
She argued that if adults feel discomfort witnessing such situations, it’s unrealistic to expect young girls to feel comfortable.
“The more open dialogue, open debate we can have on controversial topics, the safer our society will be,” she added.