Springfield’s YMCA has said its policy is to be inclusive. Public commenters at Tuesday’s city council meeting call it something else.

Almost two weeks ago, members of the Illinois House Freedom Caucus demonstrated outside the downtown Why over, as they put it, a “biological male” changing in the girls’ locker room and the effect that had on a now former member of a swim team.

“I have to stand up for Abigail, and this is why,” said Rosanna Pulido. “At sixteen years old, on the streets of Chicago, a man walked out, masturbating, and chased me and my girlfriends down the street,” said Rosanna Pulido, adding she wanted to start a #MeTooAbigail movement.

“The YWCA (sic) should have been smart and roped off the locker room except for team members only to be in that room while the girls were changing and unchanging,” said Edward Tandy.

After the July 14 event at Rotary Park on behalf of the now-former girl’s swimmer, YMCA spokesman Lou Bart issued the following statement:

“The YMCA of Springfield maintains that it is following the law and its long-time practice of inclusion for all. Thousands of people come through our doors every day. No one is forced to use any space in our facility that makes them uncomfortable. We offer multiple options for private changing spaces and restrooms for all members.

“This is not a new story. There have been a variety of false statements circulated by these same individuals since May. They have continued to shift and change this story to sensationalize it beyond the facts. The accusation that a swimmer was removed from the Y and prevented from participating on the Y swim team is false. The swimmer’s family informed the YMCA through email that they would be leaving the YMCA and their swimmer would no longer participate on the swim team. We have reiterated this statement since May.

“We find it disturbing that certain Illinois State legislators would use our YMCA building as a backdrop and demand that we violate the law. The YMCA of Springfield has been serving children and families in this community for the past 150 years. We are now, as we have always been, a powerful advocate for those we serve. Our responsibility is to keep our members in our facilities safe. Any incidents of abuse or inappropriate behavior is documented and reported to authorities.

“At our YMCA, we will continue to serve this community with honesty, respect, and decency.”