Metro East Sun

Jennifer Korte, Vice Chairman of the Madison County Republicans, said a recent incident at a Deerfield middle school violated federal authority and women’s rights. In a March 26 statement to the Metro East Sun, Korte said the situation endangers safety and privacy by prioritizing what she called "woke ideology."

"The situation at Deerfield is a shocking betrayal of women's rights and a clear violation of federal executive orders," said Korte. "School officials are disregarding legal boundaries and placing young girls in uncomfortable and potentially unsafe situations. This is not about inclusion—it's about forcing children to surrender their privacy for the sake of ideology. This decision sends a dangerous message that women's safety is negotiable."

The Chicago Tribune reported that the incident involved a civil rights complaint filed by Nicole Georgas with the Department of Justice (DOJ). The complaint concerned a transgender student using the girls' locker room at Shepard Middle School. Georgas claimed that staff forced girls to change alongside the student and called for sex-segregated facilities during a school board meeting. She referenced existing gender-neutral options and President Trump's executive orders on transgender rights, warning of 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. These interventions are considered experimental due to insufficient data. The organization highlighted potential risks such as worsening gender dysphoria, self-harm, emotional instability, osteoporosis, mood disorders, cognitive impairment, psychiatric issues, sterility, and cardiovascular problems.

Alliance Defending Freedom reported on Dr. Hilary Cass’s review commissioned by England’s National Health Service (NHS). Cass critiqued the evidence supporting these treatments for children with gender dysphoria due to poor quality studies and lack of reliable long-term outcome data. She criticized their rapid global adoption based on limited research and emphasized involving parents in medical decisions unless it poses a risk to the child’s safety. Cass advocated for an evidence-based approach over ideology in treating gender-related distress.

Korte's role as Vice Chairman involves boosting party communication and educating the public about legislation impacting the community.