Rally at Hopkins High School after alleged attack on transgender student

MINNETONKA, Minnesota. – Dozens gathered outside Hopkins High School on Wednesday following an alleged attack that Minnetonka police are investigating as a possible hate crime.

Family members tell WCCO that 17-year-old Cobalt Sovereign, a transgender girl and 11th-grader, was first called homophobic names before being attacked outside a restroom on Thursday. Sovereign uses they/them pronouns, according to her family.

Her father took her to the hospital, where doctors told the family that she had multiple jaw fractures and broken teeth. Her family says she is recovering but still cannot eat solid food.

Several LGBTQIA+ family support groups, including the Queer Equity Institute and Transforming Families, showed their support on Wednesday while also expressing frustration with the district, claiming it tried to keep the attack secret.

Her older brother, Wilder Sovereign, says his family is concerned she may have suffered a traumatic brain injury.

“To be honest, she has naturally experienced signs of transphobia before, as most, if not all, trans people have,” Wilder Sovereign said. “But it was never this bad. It never got to the point where it was an outright attack. So I’m disgusted by that facet of our community.”

In a letter to families, Principal Crystal Ballard said the attack has not yet been officially classified as a hate crime. She added that even the thought of an attack of this nature can be traumatizing, and she promised that the district will work to create safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ families, staff and students.

District officials released a statement that said, in part, “Hopkins Public Schools is an inclusive community that values ​​diversity and inclusion.” They also said they would “address any issues that threaten safety and inclusion in our school environment.”

In a letter to parents in the district, officials added that they would work with police to “minimize any impact the rally may have on school life.” While they were not directly involved in organizing it, they said they would “support a rally that brings attention to what is wrong in the world.”

District officials told WCCO that due to the Student Privacy Act, they could not share any further information, including the name of the other student involved or whether any disciplinary action has already been taken.

Police said they were notified “hours after the attack allegedly occurred” and the investigation is ongoing.