South West Illinois News

Ed McLean, chairman of the Monroe County Republicans, said he was troubled by the recent incident at a Deerfield middle school, describing it as "a blatant violation of federal authority and women’s rights." He argued that the situation endangers safety and privacy by prioritizing what he referred to as "woke ideology." He made these remarks to SW Illinois News on March 27.

"The Deerfield locker room controversy is a stark reminder of how political agendas are being pushed at the expense of young girls' rights," said McLean. "This decision tramples over executive orders intended to protect biological distinctions in intimate spaces. It disregards the psychological and emotional impact on female students. The most vulnerable should never be treated as collateral damage in a culture war."

The Chicago Tribune reported that the controversy arose after Nicole Georgas, a parent, filed a civil rights complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning a transgender student using the girls' locker room at Shepard Middle School. According to Georgas, staff at the school required girls to change alongside the transgender student. Her complaint was subsequently forwarded to the Department of Education. During a school board meeting, Georgas called for sex-segregated facilities and cited an existing gender-neutral option. She also referenced executive orders from the Trump administration that restricted transgender rights, warning about potential threats to girls' privacy, safety, and mental health.

According to the American College of Pediatricians, there is no long-term evidence supporting puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, or surgeries for transgender youth. The organization said that these interventions are experimental due to insufficient reliable data. This lack of data prevents parents from providing informed consent and minors from assenting. Evidence suggests that puberty blockers may exacerbate gender dysphoria and lead to self-harm and emotional instability, with side effects such as osteoporosis and mood disorders.

Alliance Defending Freedom reported on Dr. Hilary Cass's review commissioned by England’s National Health Service (NHS). Cass critiqued the evidence supporting puberty blockers and related treatments for children with gender dysphoria. She found no reliable long-term outcome data and noted that systematic reviews reveal poor quality in existing studies. Cass criticized the rapid global adoption of such treatments based on limited research from a single Dutch study. She emphasized involving parents in medical decisions unless their involvement poses a risk to the child’s safety.

McLean has served as chairman since 2016 and has been active in promoting conservative values within Monroe County. A retired engineer and business leader, he resides with his wife on a small horse farm in rural Monroe County. McLean is involved in various civic organizations, including being a member of the Mason Shriner Organization for 44 years and participating in the Rotary Club since 1987.