G.G. v. Gloucester County School Board

The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Virginia filed a lawsuit against the Gloucester County School Board for adopting a discriminatory bathroom policy that segregates transgender students from their peers. The policy effectively expels trans students from communal restrooms and requires them to use “alternative private” restroom facilities.

The case was filed on behalf of Gavin Grimm, a transgender male student at Gloucester High School who will graduate in 2017. The lawsuit argues the bathroom policy is unconstitutional under the Fourteenth Amendment and violates Title IX of the U.S. Education Amendments of 1972, a federal law prohibiting sex discrimination by schools.

As part of Gavin’s medical treatment for severe gender dysphoria, Gavin and his mother notified administrators of his male gender identity at the beginning of his sophomore year so that he could socially transition in all aspects of his life. With permission from school administrators, Gavin used the boys’ restroom for almost two months without any incident. But after receiving complaints from some parents and residents of Gloucester County, the school board adopted the new policy on December 9, 2014, by a vote of 6-1, despite warnings from the ACLU.

A motion for preliminary injunction was filed asking the court to rule in time for Gavin to be able to use the same restroom as other boys at Gloucester High School when classes resumed for the 2015-16 school year.  The district court denied the injunction and dismissed Gavin’s claim under Title IX.  That decision was appealed before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the lower court's decision was overturned in August of 2016. Gloucester County School Board has petitioned for a Writ of Certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States. The Fourth Circuit's mandate has been stayed pending the court's decision  on the petition.

The ACLU previously filed a federal discrimination complaint with the Department of Justice and Department of Education in December 2014. 

Update: On October 28^th, the Supreme Court announced it will review the decision from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Gavin's testimony at a Gloucester County School Board Meeting

Deirdre Grimm's testimony at a Gloucester County School Board Meeting