Schools
ACLU Can Intervene in Lawsuit Over Transgender Locker Room Access: Judge
The judge's ruling Wednesday rejects argument that inclusion would unnecessarily complicate the case.
The American Civil Liberties Union can intervene in a lawsuit against Township High School District 211 on behalf of three transgender students, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.
The Illinois chapter of the organization filed a motion to intervene in late May in a suit brought by a conservative Christian group representing 51 district families looking to overturn D112's policy that allows a Fremd High School transgender student—known as Student A—to use the school's girls' locker room. Â
RELATED:Â Letter Asks D211 to Give Transgender Students Open Access to Locker Rooms
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"We believe that it is critical to include the voices and interests of students who are transgender in this lawsuit," stated John Knight, LGBT and HIV Project director for the ACLU, in a press release. "It is these students’ lives that will be adversely impacted if the anti-LGBT rights groups directing this lawsuit are successful in overturning not only the ability of one student to use the locker room consistent with her gender identity, but also the ability of all transgender students to use school facilities on an equal basis as their peers."
More Coverage on Patch
Find out what's happening in Palatinefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- 'Student A' Enters Current Legal Fray Over D211 Transgender Policy
- ACLU to File Motion to Derail Lawsuit Over D211's Transgender Locker Room Policy
- 51 Families Sue Palatine District 211 Over Transgender Student's Locker Room Use
- District 211 Reaches Settlement With Feds in Transgender Case
- District 211: Transgender Student Not Allowed Open Access to Locker Room
According to the Daily Herald, the judge rejected the plaintiff's argument that including the students would unnecessarily complicate the case. Along with Student A, the ACLU also represents two younger transgender students who attend District 211 feeder school districts in the motion.
This ruling comes the same day that 29 district parents and students released an open letter through the ACLU in support of Student A. The letter asked the community to respect different viewpoints and urged the district to provide open access to restrooms and locker rooms for all transgender students.Â
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