By Sara Goldsmith Schwartz
Recently, a first-grader in Colorado who was born a boy but identifies as a girl was awarded the right to use a girls’ restroom at school. In its decision, the Colorado Division of Civil Rights noted that the school’s prohibition on the first-grader’s use of the girls’ restroom had created an environment that was “objectively and subjectively hostile, intimidating or offensive.” Similar cases have surfaced across the country. For example, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court recently heard a similar case: the question was whether a boy who identifies as a girl is entitled to use a girls’ restroom at school, under Maine’s human rights law.
As these cases illustrate, gender identity issues at schools can create both practical and legal challenges. Some of the questions that consistently arise in these cases are: which bathroom can the student use? Which pronoun should be used when referring to the student who is of one gender, but identifies with another? School policies and practices that do not properly address gender identity issues can expose schools to potential legal liability. At least thirteen states (i.e., California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington) and the District of Columbia have passed laws that specifically prohibit bullying, harassment, intimidation or discrimination on the basis of gender identity in schools.
We recommend that schools carefully evaluate applicable laws in the school’s jurisdiction. We also recommend that schools update their policies related to anti-discrimination, anti-bullying and anti-harassment to account for potential gender identity issues.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding gender identity issues or the applicable state law that governs your policies and practices related to gender identity.
