Bolingbrook Residents Speak Out Against 'Detransitioning' Event At Golf Club

BOLINGBROOK, IL — Several Bolingbrook residents spoke at the Village Board meeting on Tuesday, stating their opposition to a planned event at the Bolingbrook Golf Club which includes a panel discussion about "detransitioning."

"Detransitioning" is a term that can be used to describe the pause or reversal of a gender transition. The panel discussion is sponsored by groups like Awake Illinois, Parents Patrol, and Moms For Liberty.

At the meeting on Tuesday, residents called the event hateful and opposed its anti-gay and anti-transgender rhetoric, citing that several of the sponsor groups support such messaging.

"June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the diversity and resilience of the LGBTQ community," one resident said, adding that the event "promotes the vicious and discredited practice of conversion therapy."

Residents called on the Village to cancel or reject the event, which is planned at the village-owned property.

"In light of some concerns shared with the Village regarding certain planned, private events scheduled to be held at the Bolingbrook Golf Club, it is important that all members of the public are aware that the Village of Bolingbrook does not endorse, promote, share, or otherwise affiliate with any group’s mission, beliefs, philosophy, or politics," a statement from Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta says. "The Village implements its own policies and procedures to ensure a welcoming and diverse residential community and workplace. Bolingbrook will always respect our Village’s incredible diversity, as well as the uniqueness of every individual."

The statement reads that the golf club is a publicly-owned facility and the Village is legally bound to protect freedom of speech.

"The Village cannot 'choose' which speech it likes and which speech it does not when a private group seeks to rent space at the Golf Club for an event," Alexander-Basta said in the statement. "If the group meets the general criteria for hosting an event, the Village cannot deny the space’s use because it does not agree with a group’s message. The Village’s actions will always prioritize the safety of participants and members of the public first, and protect the constitutional rights of all individuals without regard to the views expressed by any group."