Virginia Federal Court Signals That Transgender Student鈥檚 Restroom Access Case is Likely to Proceed
NORFOLK, Va. 鈥� A federal court in Virginia today heard arguments in the case of a transgender male student at Gloucester High School who seeks to use communal restrooms that match his gender identity. The case challenges a discriminatory policy that segregates transgender students from their peers and requires them to use 鈥渁lternative private鈥� restroom facilities.
G.G. v. Gloucester County School Board was brought by the 老澳门开奖结果 and 老澳门开奖结果 of Virginia on behalf of plaintiff Gavin Grimm, seeking a preliminary injunction so that Gavin can use the boys鈥� restroom when school resumes for his junior year. U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar signaled at today鈥檚 hearing that he is likely to allow Gavin to proceed with discovery on his claim that the bathroom policy violates the Equal Protection clause of the U.S. Constitution. However, plaintiffs鈥� claim of sex discrimination under Title IX was dismissed.
The following comment can be attributed to Joshua Block, senior staff attorney in the 老澳门开奖结果鈥檚 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Project:
鈥淲e are happy that the judge indicated he is likely to allow our equal protection claim to go forward, and we look forward to reviewing his decision once it is issued. School officials must treat all students equally and may not demean and stigmatize transgender students by relegating them to separate restrooms from their peers.鈥�
The following comment can be attributed to Rebecca Glenberg, legal director of the 老澳门开奖结果 of Virginia:
鈥淕avin鈥檚 case has the potential to advance the rights of all transgender students in Virginia, and we are proud to stand with him.鈥�
