Gloucester County, Va. – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on Tuesday ruled in favor of a transgender Gloucester High School student Gavin Grimm in his challenge to the school’s restroom policy.
In 2015, Gloucester County School Board enforced a policy that requires transgender students to use a separate restroom from their peers.
Feeling discriminated, transgender male, Gavin Grimm decided to take action against a policy he found to be unfair.
Gavin Grimm
The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Virginia brought the case in June 2015 seeking a preliminary injunction so that Gavin may use the boys’ restroom when school resumed for his junior year. In September, U.S. District Judge Robert Doumar ruled against Gavin by dismissing his Title IX claim but allowed his case, under the Equal Protection claim, to proceed.
On Tuesday, the Fourth Circuit remanded the case for the district court to reevaluate Gavin’s request for a preliminary injunction under the proper legal standard.
According to a release from the ACLU, the ruling marks the first time that a federal appeals court determined that Title IX protects the rights of transgender students to use sex segregated facilities that are consistent with their gender identity.
“I feel so relieved and vindicated by the court’s ruling.” said Grimm. “Today’s decision gives me hope that my fight will help other kids avoid discriminatory treatment at school.”
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