Dakota School District Over Ban On Sports And Bathroom Access
A lawsuit against the Dakota School District, filed by the family of a 14-year-old trans girl, alleges district leaders enforced a discriminatory and unconstitutional policy that bars the student from using the girl’s bathrooms and locker rooms and competing with the girl’s track team, reports 23 News.
At a school board meeting, parents and students said they didn’t think it was fair that an athlete with male anatomy could compete in girl’s sports. As a result, school board members reversed a policy that allows equal opportunities for students based on their gender identity. The district allegedly enforces a new policy that requires athletes to join teams based on their assigned genders at birth.
23 News obtained a copy of the lawsuit from the Stephenson County Circuit Clerk’s Office. In the statement, the lawsuit says the Dakota School District chose to ignore state and national laws to torment and ostracize the trans girl.
Lawmakers in Illinois introduced legislation to restrict trans girls from playing on girl’s and women’s teams, but it didn’t pass during the 2021 session. The Illinois High School Association has the final say in a trans athlete’s participation an it requires schools to follow procedures concerning trans participation, including proof of medical documentation like hormone treatments and gender confirmation surgery. The IHSA will review those documents before it makes a decision about whether a transgender athlete can compete. Then, it will notify the school with its decision.
In August 2021, an Illinois appellate court affirmed protections of the Illinois Human Rights Act for trans individuals. It found that transgender individuals have the right to access restrooms corresponding to their gender identity. That case involved a trans woman who filed a complaint with the Illinois Department of Human Rights against her employer at the time, Hobby Lobby.
Read related myGwork articles here:
South Dakota GOP Senators Reject Trans Student Bathroom Ban
South Dakota Senate Becomes First Chamber To Pass Anti-Trans Legislation In 2022
North Dakota Governor Blasts Anti-LGBT+ Resolution, Calls It Insulting And Divisive
South Dakota Passes Bill Where Doctors Helping Trans Children Transition Could Be Sent To Prison
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