Dozens urge District 109 to protect transgender students as locker-room dispute draws national attention

Dozens of residents, students, clergy and advocacy groups used the District 109 public-comment period to urge the school board to uphold policies protecting transgender students and to push back against what many speakers called misinformation and bullying.

Supporters said recent local publicity and outside media attention have put a single Shepherd Middle School student and the district under an unfair and dangerous spotlight. "My son is transgender, and his only goal in life is to live it authentically," said parent Haley Hirsch. "Affirming my child is ... protecting him in a world that too often wants to erase him."

The comments came during the meeting—s public-participation period. Speakers on both sides of the issue appealed to the board and the community—s values — supporters asking the district to maintain privacy and safety for transgender students, and opponents pressing for guarantees of privacy for cisgender girls in locker rooms.

Why it matters: Speakers said the dispute has become national and threatening to students— mental health and to staff. Several parents and students described supportive responses from school staff that, they said, allowed vulnerable students to continue participating in school activities. "The teachers, counselors and school workers of D109 stepped forward," said one parent who credited staff with preventing her child from withdrawing from school.

What speakers said: Ministers, clergy and local faith leaders joined parents in supporting the district—s approach. Lucas Hergert, minister of the North Shore Unitarian Church, said: "History judges by how we treat people who are marginalized and excluded, and I hope that history won—t judge us poorly because we make the wrong decision here." Several students also spoke: "I am transgender," said Leeloo Weisberger, an eighth grader, adding, "I am not sorry for existing."

Speakers citing data and law: Multiple speakers referenced the Illinois Human Rights Act and a civil-rights complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Education—s Office for Civil Rights. Parents and advocates cited national mental-health statistics while asking the board to protect students from harassment; one speaker repeated statistics presented to the board, saying, "42 percent of transgender people in the U.S. have attempted suicide, and 80 percent have considered it," attributing the numbers to national surveys.

Opposing viewpoints: Several speakers urged stronger protections for girls— privacy in locker rooms. Bassed voices ranged from calls for distinct, biological-sex designations for changing spaces to requests for more private stalls or separate changing options. Karen Satoris, Lake County chapter chair of Moms for Liberty, said the organization —stands behind— girls— privacy rights and urged the board to "return the girls locker room to them while approaching this issue with compassion for all." Other speakers urged the district to adopt technical or procedural changes to ensure privacy for all students.

Community and advocacy groups: Local advocates and national groups were named repeatedly during the comment period. Speakers who identified as members or leaders of groups included Asher McMayer, executive director of Trans Upfront Illinois; Kaylene Marshall, state director for Concerned Women for America of Illinois; and representatives who identified as affiliated with Moms for Liberty and other parent groups. Several speakers also said outside groups had organized or amplified the dispute.

Board response and next steps: The public-comment period concluded after the speakers' block and the board moved on to other agenda items. Board members did not make a public decision during the comment period; several speakers said they had already filed complaints with state or federal agencies and expected those processes to continue.

Ending: After more than two hours of public comment, board President Montgomery closed the period and the meeting proceeded to the board—s action items.