On June 28, the U.S. Supreme Court left in place a decision that allowed a transgender student to use the bathroom that corresponded to his gender identitya victory for the LGBTQ community that had wondered if the high court would take up the case and reverse a lower-court opinion.
The case concerns the scope of Title IX that prohibits schools from discriminating "on the basis of sex," according to CNN.com .
It began when Gavin Grimm, a transgender male who was then a high-school student, challenged the local Virginia school board's decision to require him to use either a unisex restroom or a restroom that corresponded to the sex, female, he was assigned at birth.
Ultimately, the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled (twice) in favor of Grimm, the latter time citing the Supreme Court's landmark decision in 2020 that held that federal employment law protects LGBTQ workers.
Supreme Court justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito said they would have taken up the case for next term.
In a press release sent to Windy City Times, GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said, "This is a victory for transgender students, who simply want to be themselves without worrying about being rejected or refused access to basic dignities. Medical and educational authorities all agree that transgender young people must be allowed to belong, learn, grow, and succeed as their authentic selves, just like any other child.
"Our schools and our society are safer and offer more opportunity for all when all are welcome. Our country and community are stronger thanks to Gavin Grimm's courage and his fight for all kids to be included, valued and protected."