Fremd Student Starts Petition in Favor of Allowing Transgender Students Access to Locker Rooms

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A Fremd High School student upset over his school district’s decision to refuse a transgender student open access to locker room has set up an online petition.

A transgender student with District 211 has filed a complaint with the U.S. Office of Civil Rights after the school district denied the student access to the locker room. The student was hoping to use the locker room of the sex that student identified with as a transgender individual, Superintendent Daniel Cates said.

Though the U.S. Department of Education requires schools to provide transgender students access to the locker room, District 211 announced Monday it would continue to provide private accommodations for transgender students “to ensure a respectful school environment” and protect the privacy of all its students.

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“Many Fremd students are angry about the decision, and I’m one of them,” Lytle wrote to Patch in an e-mail.

So, Lytle started an online petition, seeking support from others who felt the same way as he did. That petition, as of Thursday morning, has collected nearly 400 signatures.

“This decision affects not one, but many transgender youths throughout the district,” Lytle said, adding that the decision was ”oppressive and demeaning. “Signing this petition will show your support for the transgender students of District 211 and will show Dan Cates that there is public opposition to the board’s ruling on this matter.”

Lytle said he plans to send the petition to Cates after it has reached a “suitable number of signatures.”

READ MORE ABOUT THIS ON PATCH:

• District 211: Transgender Student Not Allowed Open Access to Locker Room
• Local Residents Sound Off on District 211 Decision Not to Allow Transgender Students Access to Locker Rooms