A Fairfax County Public Schools student is suing the school board, sayings its policy aimed at protecting the rights of transgender students violate the rights of others and violates the state constitution.
The lawsuit was filed by the conservative group America First Legal — founded by former Donald Trump adviser Stephen Miller — on behalf of an unnamed Fairfax high school senior.
It alleges that the school district’s policy, which allows students to use facilities that match their gender identity and requires the use of a students chosen pronouns and name, are “fundamentally at odds with her religious beliefs” as a practicing Roman Catholic.
Fairfax County Public Schools spokeswoman Julie Allen said in a statement Wednesday that the district had not yet been served with the lawsuit and could not comment on the specific allegations. But she said the district’s policies are consistent with federal and state anti-discrimination laws.
“FCPS remains committed to fostering a safe, supportive, welcoming, and inclusive school environment for all students and staff,” Allen said. “Any student who has a need or desire for increased privacy in using a bathroom or locker room, regardless of the underlying reason, is provided with reasonable accommodations, including access to single user facilities.”
The lawsuit is the latest in a string of legal actions in recent years challenging the policies that Virginia schools have put in place addressing how to treat transgender and gender nonconforming students in school. It also is part of a wave of legislation in recent years targeting LGBTQ+ youth around the country.
Read more here from The Washington Post.
