Illinois parents and transgender rights groups clash over Hononegah High School’s locker room policy

ROCKTON, Ill. (WTVO) — Parents at Hononegah High School and transgender rights groups gathered at a school board meeting to make their voices heard after one student’s mother said her daughter felt uncomfortable when two transgender students were changing in the girls’ locker room.

Nearly 100 advocates on both sides of the debate were at the meeting.

Currently, the high school’s policy allows students to change in the locker room that they identify with.

Hononegah’s Superintendent Michael Dugan said the alleged incident never happened when asked for a statement.

“No student is required to change for physical education class in front of others,” said Dugan. “The school provides private changing areas inside and outside the locker rooms for any student requesting privacy.”

One transgender student enrolled at Hononegah High School said he feels safe.

“When I am changing for gym class, I am given locker accommodations. I am only with other transgender students. It is me and other transgender students and nobody else,” said the student.

Both parents and transgender rights groups explained why the issue is important to them.

“I’m here to support the school. They’re kinda doing everything we would hope at this point for inclusivity and following on the Illinois Human Rights Act to promote inclusive policies,” said Stateline Indivisible’s Tierra Polfliet. “They have gender neutral spaces, they have enclosed private places to change, they’ve gotten rid of PE uniforms. So, we’re here to support them.”

“We should protect our daughters. We should protect our sons. We should protect our children in general,” said Karli Weber. “If someone’s uncomfortable changing in a locker room, we should care about that.”

State Representative John Cabello (R) also made an appearance to give his stance on the issue.

“We hear that there’s a biological male using the female’s locker rooms, and we want to make sure that that’s not happening,” said Cabello.

“I don’t think there’s an issue with the child being trans. That’s up to them, that’s up to their parents,” said Cabello. “There’s apparently a changing room here that that individual could use. Why don’t you just have that individual use that changing room, and stop putting our females in an uncomfortable spot?”

Both Cabello and State Senator Andrew Chesney (R) released a joint statement:

“The safety, privacy and dignity of young women is non-negotiable. The school board must take decisive action, and we are prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure they do.”

The Hononegah School Board President, David Kurlinkus, said what matters most is that all students feel safe at school.

“We’re all part of the Hononegah nation, and we’re all concerned about our children,” said Kurlinkus. “That’s why you’re here. That’s why we’re here.”

The school’s policy was not up for debate on Wednesday, but over 30 people signed up and spoke during the public comment section of the meeting.