A Moms for Liberty activist in California sparked controversy by stripping down to her bikini during a school board meeting to protest a district policy allowing transgender students to choose their bathroom based on gender identity. Beth Bourne, the Yolo County chapter chairwoman, staged the protest on September 18 during a Davis Joint Unified School District meeting.
Bourne, 55, used her speaking time at the podium to demonstrate what she claimed students experience when changing for PE. “So I’m just going to give you an idea what that looks like when I undress,” she said, before removing her shirt. Her protest was interrupted by school board vice president Hiram Jackson, who immediately recessed the meeting, stating, “This is not allowed.”
After a five-minute pause, the meeting resumed and Bourne was warned not to disrupt the session again. But moments later, she began disrobing a second time, prompting another recess and her removal from the room. According to board trustee Cecilia Escamilla-Greenwald, police escorted Bourne out after she retrieved her belongings.
Bourne, a longtime activist with a background in local government roles across California, has frequently appeared at school board meetings to challenge policies concerning transgender students. In 2023, she hosted a controversial event on trans athletes in Davis, which was followed by bomb threats directed at local schools. While no evidence publicly connects Bourne to those threats, the events intensified scrutiny of her activism.
Moms for Liberty describes itself as a parental rights advocacy group. However, it has drawn criticism for opposing LGBTQ+ inclusive curricula, promoting book bans, and protesting COVID-related school policies. Despite such criticism, the group continues to gain influence in local education debates across the country.
The Davis school board now plans to meet with legal counsel to determine how to handle future disruptions. Trustees described Bourne’s actions as inappropriate and are reviewing protocols for maintaining order during public comment periods.
