M4L’s Presence in New Richmond a Concern

This letter to the editor, by Laurie Harmon, appeared in the Hudson Star Observer on April 16, 2026.

The Trump administration is currently investigating the New Richmond School District for allowing transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that are consistent with their gender identity, and is claiming this is a violation of Title IX. The practice has enraged certain right wing radical groups like Moms 4 Liberty (M4L), and now, transgender students are under attack by outside agitators who have taken up this cause to prove and enforce their hateful, intolerant agenda. Unfortunately, one M4L loyalist managed to maneuver her way onto the New Richmond School Board in our most recent election and promises to continue her nasty crusade.

Despite the efforts of M4L and The Department of Education to convince the public otherwise, the New Richmond School District is simply following the Title IX law as it applies now to this situation.

ACLU Wisconsin explains: “Public schools in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois are legally required to allow students to use the restroom and locker room consistent with their gender identity.”The law clearly states,“denying” transgender students to use bathrooms “consistent with their gender identity” is a “violation of Title IX.”

There is a disconnect between the Trump administration and local and state interests here. While The Department of Education is investigating a supposed violation of Title IX, the New Richmond School District is abiding by and adhering to Wisconsin law regarding Title IX.

Meanwhile, a small but mighty group of fair-minded, justice-fueled New Richmond high school students continue to stand-up for their rights. They remind us all what civility and decency look like. Unlike M4L, they don’t use inflammatory or derogatory rhetoric. They speak their truth, logically present their perspective, and model intelligence by presenting their case in a mature, adult manner, citing facts and laws.

The so-called adults on the other hand, many of whom are hell-bent on getting their own way by bullying, insulting, and browbeating the students and the school district, should be ashamed of themselves. They claim to care about students, but their mistreatment of and hatred for many of these students negates any “good will” they profess.

The students’ fight, though, is our fight, too. M4L is coming for River Falls, Hudson, and districts beyond. We should all join the noble students of New Richmond, stand with them against these outside interlopers, and continue to support the true Title IX rules in Wisconsin in support of all students. Surely, there is a solution that will consider the rights and needs of all students involved. A better use of our energy is to find ways to build up people, not tear them down.