A statement from the Chicago Teachers Union and Illinois Federation of Teachers President Stacy Davis Gates on the Supreme Court ruling allowing states to ban Transgender Students Athletes:
Today’s Supreme Court decision is about more than athletics. It is about whether some students will be told they belong less than others.
Every student who walks into an Illinois public school deserves to know they are valued, respected, and safe. That commitment does not change because of a court ruling. It does not change because of politics. And it does not change based on a student’s gender identity, race, immigration status or ZIP code.
As educators, our responsibility has always been larger than teaching math, reading, or science. We create safe, welcoming and thriving learning environments where every child has the opportunity to succeed, build relationships, and discover who they are. When any group of students is singled out or made the center of political debate, it affects far more than extracurricular activities—it affects their sense of safety, belonging, inclusion and ability to learn.
Today’s ruling makes caring educators and loving classrooms more of a refuge than ever before and thus, we are calling upon our state legislators and Illinois Governor to make the necessary investments to keep those educational communities thriving and alive.
For far too long, misguided politicians and billionaires—including Elon Musk, Michael Sacks, and even Governor J.B. Pritzker—have tried to dictate what happens in our public school classrooms. They have pushed to privatize public education, undermined educators, censored books, and now seek to exclude some of our young people from fully participating in school life.
That is why this upcoming school board election is so important. It is an opportunity for parents, educators, and community members, not billionaires or political insiders, to have a voice in shaping the future of our public schools and ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, belong, and thrive.
The Chicago Teachers Union has long believed that every student deserves to learn in schools where they are seen, respected, and protected. That belief is reflected in our classrooms, in our contract, and in our advocacy for all young people. Today’s decision does not change our responsibility to ensure every student can come to school ready to learn without fear of discrimination, harassment, or exclusion.
We remain committed to working alongside students, families, educators, and community to ensure that every child, regardless of who they are, is able to thrive in their educational community.
The measure of a school system is not how it treats the students who fit neatly into a political narrative. It is how it protects every child entrusted to its care. That remains our mission today, and every day.
#
The Chicago Teachers Union represents more than 30,000 teachers and educational support personnel working in schools funded by City of Chicago School District 299, and by extension, more than 300,000 students and families they serve. The CTU is an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers and the Illinois Federation of Teachers and is the third-largest teachers local in the United States. For more information, please visit the CTU website at www.ctulocal1.org.
