U.S. Government Supports Transgendered Teen in Detroit Lawsuit

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a statement of interest supporting a 14-year-old transgender plaintiff in a federal lawsuit against four area school districts, including Wyandotte and Dearborn Heights.

Royal Oak attorney James Rasor said in a news release that his client, who was born female but identifies as a male, faced severe and pervasive discrimination as a result of his sexual identity.

The government filed its brief prior to a Monday conference among the parties in the case. In it, the DOJ said:

“The United States has a significant interest in ensuring that all students, including transgender students, have the opportunity to learn in an environment free of discrimination and that the proper legal standards are applied to claims under Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause.”

The attorney general asked the court to apply the prohibition of sex discrimination under both Title IX and the equal protection of the Constitution also applies to transgender status, gender identity and sex stereotyping.

The brief was signed by the acting assistant attorney general; James Cole Jr., the general counsel for the U.S. Department of Education; United States Attorney Barbara McQuade; and several prominent attorneys for the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

“This goes beyond taunting and teasing – this goes to physical violence,” Rasor told WJBK-TV. “The school districts failed miserably to keep this kid safe from bullying and in fact the school districts bullied the kid themselves.

“It’s just an outrageous example of school districts failing to protect their students,” he said.

Also named as defendants in the action are Van Buren Public Schools and Summit Academy North District.

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