ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York state's attorney general, along with a coalition of 20 other attorneys general, has filed an amicus brief in support of a Florida transgender high school student who was denied use of the boys' restroom.
In the amicus brief filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Adams v. St. Johns County, the coalition argues the transgender student being allowed to only use the school district's gender-neutral restrooms is a violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, according to the New York Attorney General's Office.
In the case, an 18-year old transgender student at Allen D. Nease High School in St. Augustine, Florida, began using the boys' restroom after his transition. The student was forced to use only the gender-neutral restrooms at the school after the school district received an anonymous compliant about the student using the boys' bathroom.
“No student should ever dread going to school for fear of being bullied or discriminated against because of how they identify,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement. “Educational institutions have a responsibility to protect and educate their students—neither of which involves denying students access to the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity. My office will ensure that all students are treated with dignity and respect.
The coalition also argues that transgender people have the right to access restrooms consistent with their gender identity, according to James' office.