Deerfield parents weigh in on allegations that students were forced to change in front of transgender student

DEERFIELD, Ill. (WGN) — A school board meeting in the north suburbs drew mixed reactions from parents Thursday as they weighed in on allegations that some middle school students were forced to change clothes in the presence of a transgender student.

Some parents of students at Deerfield Public School District 109 who voiced their concerns on Thursday night felt that young girls were being robbed of their privacy, while others said they felt transgender students deserved to feel safe.

“Can you imagine being 12 or 13 years old in your school that you’re in charge of, and be forced to undress?” one commentator said during the meeting. “I don’t think any of you would be very comfortable at all. I am here to support all of the girls in that class who were subjected to this outrageous violation.”

A conservative group is now asking the US Department of Justice to file criminal charges against Deerfield School District 109 in connection with the allegations.

Back in March, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights announced that it was investigating after a mother filed a civil rights complaint.

Female students at Alan B Shepard Middle School reportedly complained to school administrators about a male who was using their locker room to change for gym class. The next day, school administrators reportedly scolded the female students for refusing to dress in front of the male trans student.

According to the complaint with the Office of Civil Rights, an administrator told the female students that the male trans student was allowed to use female intimate facilities if the student identified as female.

The goal of the investigation is to determine if the allegations violated Title IX by requiring girls in school to share their locker room with a biological male.

Others who spoke during the meeting voiced support for the transgender student, one speaker even called the controversy surrounding the allegations a “publicity stunt.”

“What we cannot do is settle for lies or false accusations. We can not cower to any bullies in our community or at large. Our students are safest because District 190 follows constitutional and state laws and provides facilities to protect our most marginalized students as equally as any other students. I am both heartbroken and furious to know that any child from our community could become the subject of a publicity stunt, a target for bullies of any age,” another speaker said during public comment.

“I am here tonight to speak for my friend, the transgender girl in question here. I am here tonight to defend dignity for all students and I am here to unfortunately entertain the idea that my community and my identity is not welcome in our school,” 8th grade student Lilu Weisberger said during Thursday’s meeting.

In a statement addressing the allegations, a district spokesperson said that students do not have to change in front of others and can choose to change privately.

“No student is required to change into a gym uniform for physical education class in front of others in locker rooms. All students in the middle schools have multiple options to change in a private location if they wish,” a district spokesperson said.

At last check, the district said it has not been notified of an investigation and no criminal charges have been filed.