VICTORY For Our Transgender Client, Nick.
Today Gender Justice, alongside our co-counsel The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota, and Stinson LLP, have won a $300,000 settlement and several reforms from the Anoka-Hennepin School District over its discrimination against our transgender client and their former student, Nick.
In 2016, Nick was barred from using the boys’ locker room, after he had been welcomed by and participated on the boys’ swim team for much of the season. Nick was singled out and forced to use segregated changing facilities that no other students were required to use. This discrimination led to bullying and threats against his family, causing Nick emotional distress and harm.
“I wanted the school district and the school board to understand that how they allowed me to be treated was wrong, and to hopefully make things better for the next generation of students – not just at Anoka-Hennepin, but across Minnesota.”
-Nick
In addition to the $300,000 settlement, the Anoka-Hennepin School District has also agreed to take several additional steps, including:
- Reaffirming its commitment to comply with the Minnesota Human Rights Act and not discriminate against transgender students.
- Developing a policy to allow every student to use all facilities consistent with their gender identity that includes a complaint procedure and a prohibition on retaliation.
- Training all school board members, staff, and students on these policies.
- Affirming that students of all gender identities are valued and welcome.
Over the past year, we’ve seen a growing wave of political attacks against the rights of transgender children to health care, education, or even to play sports. Students like Nick need and deserve the same acceptance as their classmates. Instead, far too many are being targeted for discrimination by the very adults who should be watching out for them.
The law is clear – discrimination against trans students is not only wrong, it comes at a cost.
Please consider making a $100 gift in honor of Nick today. Your partnership makes it possible for us to continue fighting for a world where transgender students can go to school and play sports as their true, authentic selves.