As a community member living near Deerfield Public School District 109, I am deeply concerned about the district's policy that allows biologically different gendered students to change in the same locker rooms and restrooms. While the intent may be inclusion, the reality is that these policies are putting students at risk.

This is not just about discomfort or modesty. This is about protecting children from the very real and traumatic threat of rape and sexual assault.

Adolescents are in one of the most vulnerable and impressionable stages of life. They deserve spaces where they feel safe, protected, and respected—especially when it comes to private activities like changing clothes. By failing to provide gender-segregated changing areas, the school district is not only disregarding students' privacy but potentially exposing them to situations where their personal boundaries could be violated.

While many may say that the district must grant access to opposite gendered facilities for LGBTQ+ students, gender identity should never override the basic safety and privacy rights of all students. We must consider the potential for policies to be misused or manipulated. Imagine a situation where a student falsely claims a gender identity to gain access to the opposite-sex changing room—whether to bully, harass, or violate the privacy of another student. This is not just a hypothetical fear. It’s a loophole that, if left unchecked, can be exploited and lead to irreversible harm. The safety of minors must come before assumptions of good intent.

The unfortunate truth is that sexual violence among minors does happen, even in schools. Failing to provide appropriate safeguards creates an environment where that risk is heightened. Every student—regardless of gender identity—deserves a safe space where they don’t have to fear being seen, harassed, or assaulted while vulnerable.

This is a call to hold Deerfield Public School District 109 accountable. Students should not have to sacrifice their safety in the name of policy. We are urging the district to:

• Provide gender-segregated changing rooms
• Offer private options for any student who requests them
• Ensure that policies around facilities protect ALL students from risk—especially the risk of sexual assault.

Schools exist to educate and protect. That protection must include students’ physical safety and mental well-being, especially when it comes to deeply personal spaces like locker rooms.

It is time that we hold Deerfield Public School District 109 accountable and demand that they ensure that students can change in a locker room that is gender segregated and does not allow students who are the opposite biological gender to change in the same space. It is their responsibility to maintain facilities that keep every student's safety in mind. Nobody should be forced to surrender their modesty and safety when accessing essential facilities at their educational institution. The school district must revise their policies and provide separate changing rooms to guarantee students their right to safety privacy. 

Sign the petition to demand the immediate implementation of necessary protections for the students of Deerfield Public School District 109. It’s time to put student safety first—before any more children are put in harm’s way.

General inquiries may be directed to safetyford109@protonmail.com.