A suburban parents’ group dropped its lawsuit that attempted to ban transgender students from using school restrooms and locker rooms associated with their gender identity, a move that supporters of transgender students say helps affirm the rights of students across the state.
The group is from a Palatine-based school district, and the lawyer representing them did not say why they decided to drop the suit, which a judge then dismissed. The Alliance Defending Freedom’s Gary McCaleb, a co-counsel in the case, said, “If new conflicts arise from the school district allowing opposite-sex use of privacy facilities such as locker rooms and restrooms, we will take appropriate legal action.’
But, Ed Yohnka, with the ACLU of says he believes this sets a precedent… that future legal attacks on districts with, what he calls, open and inclusive policies will not be successful.
“This idea of rolling back those districts where good policies have been put in place has really lost any energy and steam,” he said.
He also said he hopes more districts follow the lead of those that have open and inclusive policies related to transgender students such as the Chicago Public Schools, Elgin U-46, Glenbard District 87 in DuPage County and the Williamsville district near Springfield.
Rodrigo Anzures, with the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, says, “If schools can feel more secure, that they won't be sued or that they won't be held liable for any reason for supporting the transstudents, I think that's always a good thing.”
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