In Owego, NY, a growing concern among many parents and students is that teenage girls are uncomfortable in school locker rooms and restrooms.  It’s not right for 14-year-old girls to be in the locker room or restrooms with 14-year-old Boys that are identifying differently than their gender at birth. This issue has become increasingly personal and distressing for families who want to ensure their daughters' sense of privacy and safety.

The existing policies in our schools allowing students to choose restrooms and locker rooms based on their identified gender rather than their birth gender have sparked significant anxiety. Girls are expressing discomfort and worry about sharing these private spaces, spaces that were once a place for them to feel safe and secure.

Statistics show that about 52% of students have expressed concern over shared bathrooms and locker rooms. This statistic reflects not only a discomfort but a need for reconsideration of school policies that prioritize the comfort and safety of all students based on biological gender.

A clear, actionable solution is to implement a policy where restroom and locker room use in schools aligns with the gender assigned at birth. This isn't an issue of discrimination but rather one of safeguarding comfort zones and ensuring peace of mind for students and their guardians.

Implementing separate facilities for those who identify differently ensures inclusivity while maintaining the integrity of gender-specific spaces. It's important to acknowledge the balance between supporting transgender rights and providing a comfortable environment for all students.

We urge the Owego school district to consider these changes seriously. Many young girls and their families depend on the administration's decision to foster a respectful and considerate environment in the schools.

Please sign this petition if you believe in upholding gender-specific facilities to preserve privacy and comfort for all students in our community.