Peoria Unified School Board Votes 3-2 To Allow Transgender Students To Use Preferred Bathroom

In the recent year, transgender student’s access to bathrooms, locker rooms of their choice have become a divisive issue across the country.  More and more school districts across the country are being forced to make a decision on the issue.

Last night one of the state’s largest school districts was forced to decide on the issue for their 44 schools and approximately 35,329 students.

Having no district bathroom rule in place, the Peoria Unified School District board was forced to place the issue on their agenda for discussion. The governing board of the Peoria Unified School District voted 3-2 not to draft a transgender bathroom policy for their schools, meaning transgender students can use the bathroom of their preference.


In last night’s meeting, the school board had the opportunity to take a stance on drafting a formal policy that limits the use of bathrooms and locker rooms based on biological sex, and chose not to, meaning nothing will change for now.

Supporters say transgender students should not be barred from the bathrooms or locker rooms of their choice, while parents and students on the opposite side of the issue feel it opens the door to safety and privacy concerns.

Community members attending last night’s board meeting assumed it was only supposed to be a discussion for board members to receive input and have additional meetings in the future. However, the board moved quickly and made the decision to vote.