GSA Network is heartened by the decision of the Supreme Court to reject hearing a case that sought to prevent a school district in Boyertown, Pennsylvania from allowing transgender and gender nonconforming students to access school facilities and bathrooms in a way that aligns with their gender identity. The case garnered national attention following the victory of Gavin Grimm in Virginia, as many believed this might be the first transgender rights case to reach the Supreme Court.
“We still have much work to do to combat the hostile school climate and isolation that many transgender and gender nonconforming young people face in schools,” says Ginna Brelsford, Co-Executive Director of GSA Network. “Amidst the very public attacks on the lives and identities of TGNC young people by the federal government, we hope this victory will be celebrated as a strong and positive sign of support to those courageous school districts across the country that are working to create safe and supportive schools despite the lack of support at the state and federal level.”
While the Department of Education continues to question the rights and protections afforded to TGNC students under Title IX, the decision by the Supreme Court indicates that individual school districts will continue to have the authority to create policies and practices that promote health and wellness for LGBTQ students in alignment with previous guidance approved by the Obama administration in 2016, and then rescinded a year later.
