In the latest step forward of one of the United States’ highest profile transgender bathroom cases, a federal judge in Virginia has sided with student Gavin Grimm and refused to dismiss the case.
Gloucester County School Board request to dismiss the claim that Grimm filed. In his suit, Grimm said his school violated his rights when they refused to let him use the boys’ restroom.
However, U.S. District Court Judge Arenda Wright Allen declined the request.
She wrote instead in her 30-page opinion that the school board’s policies ‘singled out and stigmatized Mr. Grimm’. Grimm’s lawyers, on the other hand, successfully argued ‘the school board violated his rights under the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection clause as well as federal Title IX protections against gender-based discrimination’.
Finally, she ordered both sides to schedule a settlement within the next 30 days.
Bringing this trans issue to the forefront
Grimm first brought his case forward in 2014.
It was one of the first transgender bathroom cases that made national headlines. The Obama administration officially supported Grimm in his fight.
In one of the first big court appearances for the case, an appeals court found in favor of the student. Eventually, the case found its way bound for the Supreme Court. That is, until Trump’s administration blocked numerous Obama-era guidances and the Supreme Court declined to hear the case.
Yesterday’s decision, though, is still a major victory.
‘No student should feel unsafe at school, regardless of gender identity. Transgender students are covered by Title IX and are entitled to the same rights and protections as every other student,’ said Sarah Warbelow, HRC Legal Director.
‘With the Trump-Pence Administration’s barrage of attacks on LGBTQ people in this country, including children, we are pleased that yet another federal court has reaffirmed legal rights and dignity of transgender people.’
H/t: AP
