Good news: Peoria Unified School District’s governing board just voted against discriminatory bathroom policy!

The board voted 3-2 against having its attorney draft a policy preventing transgender kids from using facilities consistent with their gender identity.

The holdouts were religious rightwing members Heather Rooks and Rebecca Hill. Rooks has been known for illegally proselytizing at board meetings. Hill had the audacity to respond to the vote by saying parents should pull their kids out of the district. 

There is no immediate evidence to support that allowing transgender kids access to bathrooms consistent with their gender identity creates a safety concern. Board member Melissa Ewing pointed out that there has not been a single incident of assault committed by a transgender student in a bathroom.

The meeting was contentious, filled with misinformation and hate speech, but many students and other members of the public stood up for equality.

“I believe that we need to protect transgender children. I believe that if we are to push an agenda of acceptance and push an agenda of love and accepting people, then we need to integrate them,” said Ava Snyder, a student at Liberty High School.

This shows what can happen when we show up and speak out!

Peoria constituents can contact board members here to thank them for doing the right thing—and let Rooks and Hill know what they think of transphobia.

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