Temecula Board Drops Controversial Trans Locker Room Proposals After Public Outcry

TEMECULA, CA — After a highly contentious and well-attended meeting Tuesday night, the Temecula Valley Unified School Board has voted unanimously to keep students' preferences private, along with transgender students in shared spaces.

A previous proposal that has drawn sharp criticism from students and parents alike would have required students to seek a religious exemption or mental health accommodation if they did not wish to share a restroom or a locker room with a transgender classmate.

The board voted 5-0 on Tuesday to explore other options for parents to request privacy for children who don't want to share facilities with trans students.

READ MORE: Protest Targets Temecula Board’s Trans Student Proposal

A newly proposed policy would require the student or a parent to request privacy through the school's administration by requesting an accommodation form. Students would also be able to verbally ask for special accommodations, such as a separate location or a different time to change, The Press-Enterprise reported.

The form would be emailed to parents by the school, followed by a conversation between the student, their family, and school staff to determine “an appropriate accommodation that meets the student’s needs while maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all students,” according to proposed policy documents, cited by The Press-Enterprise, which appeared to no longer be online Thursday.

At Tuesday's meeting, board members scrapped earlier proposals, which were never voted on. Many students and community members have contested and rallied against a particular set of proposals that would have students obtain a religious exemption or complete a mental health evaluation form if they didn't want to share a changing facility with trans students.

Trustees tabled those proposals last month. That initial proposal triggered a protest on Sept. 2 outside Temecula's Day Middle School, along with a report that a transgender student had used the girls' locker room.

In footage posted to X, middle school boys at the rally were seen holding signs that read: "Safe spaces for girls" and "Protect a child's right to speak up."

At Tuesday's meeting, students and parents were still divided over how to handle the issue of shared spaces.

A 13-year-old student named Kailee Wooll addressed the school board during public comment, wearing a "Protect Our Girls" shirt.

"At 12 to 14 years old, we should be busy being kids, not worried about being forced to change in front of biological males or attach a label to ourselves for being uncomfortable with it," she said. "This has consumed our lives for over a month now and we're looking to you to help us girls feel seen and protected."

Julia Murray-Sibby, a TVUSD employee who identifies as transgender, also spoke.

"As students addressed earlier on, I also advocate for private spaces and accommodations for all students, but there's a room full of people here tonight who want to deny the existence of trans people," they said. "Parents fearful of the unknown, just people who simply wish to protect those they love from those they don't understand.

"I identify as trans and it's my responsibility to stand firmly as a member of my community in solidarity with those who cannot speak here tonight for fear of retaliation."

The new policy and accomodation form will be discussed and voted on at the board's next meeting on Sept. 30.

Watch Tuesday's full meeting here.