Judge allows trans suit against MN high school locker rooms to proceed

A Minnesota district judge is allowing a gender-confused student’s lawsuit to proceed against the Anoka-Hennepin School District over its policy on transgender locker rooms, declaring a need for “immediate” resolution of the matter.

In February, the group Gender Justice and the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued the district on behalf of a Coon Rapids High School student identified only as NH. The suit alleges that the district “discriminated” against NH, a member of the school's boys swim team, by directing her to change in an “enhanced-privacy bathroom” instead of letting her use the boys locker room.

The suit claims the restriction caused NH to be repeatedly hospitalized for mental health, and eventually transfer to another school district.

“Transgender students themselves are the best judge of where they will be safe,” Gender Justice attorney Christy Hall declared. “And when the school board comes in and says you can’t use this restroom or this locker room like every other student, it singles them out. It makes them have to answer questions from their peers, not all of whom might be aware they’re trans.”