Courageous essay
Thank you for publishing the article "We just want to feel protected" by Charlie Zielinski, a transgender youth who graduated from East Leyden High School in 2016. You provide an important service when you give us, as Paul Harvey used to say, "the rest of the story." Transgendered people are neither monsters nor predators. As Charlie put it, "[they] are not hurting anyone by going to the bathroom [they] feel more comfortable in." I commend the East Leyden High School administration who worked to make Charlie feel safe. I'm grateful to Charlie for being brave enough to share his story, and I'm grateful to the Daily Herald for bringing Charlie's story to me.
Tracy Boland
Palatine
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