The U.S. Supreme Court has chosen not to take up a case involving an Indiana transgender student’s request to use preferred bathrooms, thus upholding an appeals court ruling in favor of the student.
The Metropolitan School District of Martinsville had sought a conclusion that there is no requirement to permit transgender students to use bathrooms based on their gender identity.
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals had ruled against the school district, affirming a district court judge’s injunction allowing transgender students to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity.
This decision implies that lawsuits across the country regarding transgender bathroom policies will persist, with the Supreme Court likely addressing the matter in the future. The Biden administration contends that Title IX safeguards against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, asserting that transgender students should be protected under sex discrimination provisions.
The Supreme Court had previously declined involvement in a separate transgender dispute earlier in the year involving a Missouri college challenging the Biden administration’s directive on dormitory accommodations for transgender individuals.
Justice Samuel Alito, a conservative member of the Court, issued a dissent in June expressing disagreement with the decision not to consider an appeal in a transgender inmate’s case against a Fairfax County sheriff.
