SCOTUS Refuses Anti-Trans Bathroom Case

In a momentous win for trans students, the Supreme Court has refused to hear an anti-trans bathroom case from Virginia this week.

The case, Gloucester County School Board v Grimm, targeted trans high school student Gavin Grimm for using the bathroom corresponding with his gender identity. The school board attempted to take the case all the way to the Supreme Court after it was ruled in Gavin’s favor in lower federal courts, but SCOTUS refused.

“This is a victory for transgender students who simply want to be themselves without worrying about being rejected or refused access to basic dignities,” says Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO of GLADD. “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.”

The decision is a much-needed, uplifting announcement for trans youth, who have been the target of an onslaught of GOP attacks this year. In 2021 alone, more than 100 bills have been considered that would discriminate against trans students, barring them from sports teams or essential, gender-affirming healthcare.

“Congratulations to Gavin Grimm and the ACLU, who fought for six years so that Gavin and all transgender students would be treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve,” says Paul D. Castillo, a Lambda Legal Counsel and Students’ Rights Strategist. “Gavin’s persistent fight for the rights of transgender young people stands as a reminder that the fight is far from over; he is a beacon of hope. Thank you, Gavin.”

The ACLU joined Lambda, celebrating Gavin’s win on Twitter and applauding the Supreme Court for their decision. “This is the third time in recent years that SCOTUS has allowed appeals court decisions in support of trans students to remain.”

The Supreme Court recently came under fire from LGBTQ advocacy groups after a highly controversial, unanimous decision siding with a Catholic Social Services agency in Philadelphia. The case prioritized religious liberties over equal rights for prospective, queer foster parents. Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito criticized their fellow justices for not being firmer in their ruling, and likewise have said that they would’ve chosen to hear Gloucester v Grimm. They’ve established themselves as clear crusaders of the Christian faith and villains against LGBTQ progress.

But perhaps this decision promises a better future for queer issues from the moderate and liberal Justices on the court.

A win for Gavin Grimm: The Supreme Court declined to take up whether schools must allow transgender students to use bathrooms matching their gender identities, leaving a victory for Gavin Grimm intact.https://t.co/KqauregiaU

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) June 28, 2021