The Supreme Court handed the LGBT right-wing movement another victory on Monday, dismissing an appeal questioning the right of transgender students to use the toilet of their choice.
The Supreme Court said it would not take a case with Gavin Grimm and the Gloucester County, Virginia Schools Board. That board had denied Grimm the decision to use a boys’ toilet in his school, a policy that also applied to other transgender students.
Grimm was born female but began to identify as male after his first year of high school.
Activist Gavin Grimm arrives for the Time 100 Gala in the Manhattan neighborhood of New York, New York, USA April 25, 2017.
Carlo Allegri | Reuters
Grimm’s right to use a boys’ bathroom was upheld in judgments from lower federal courts that ruled that he was protected by federal law preventing school programs from discriminating against students based on their gender.
Two of the more conservative Supreme Court justices, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, said they heard the case, according to the order released Monday.
The use of toilets by transgender students and the acceptance of such students on school sports teams has become a focus for conservatives in recent years.
“This is a victory for transgender students who just want to be themselves without worrying about being turned down or denied access to basic dignity,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO of GLADD, a leading lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer advocacy.
“Medical and education authorities all agree that transgender youth must be allowed to belong, learn, grow, and thrive like any other child as their authentic selves, “Ellis said when everyone is welcome. Our country and our community are stronger thanks to Gavin Grimm’s courage and his struggle for the inclusion, appreciation and protection of all children. ”
The verdict in Grimm’s favor comes a year after the Supreme Court ruled that the Federal Citizenship Act prevents employers from discriminating against people based on their gender identification.
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The American Civil Liberties Union, which Grimm represented, said Monday’s ruling was “the third time in recent years that SCOTUS [the Supreme Court of the United States] has allowed appeals court rulings in support of trans students to stand. “
