WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The justices will consider whether lower-level courts should defer to a letter issued in May by the US departments of Justice and Education that outlined best practices for transgender students, SCOTUSblog reported Friday.
Additionally, the Supreme Court will determine if the Education Department’s interpretation of federal civil-rights laws cited in the guidance should be given consideration.
A federal district court in Virginia ruled against the student, Gavin Grimm, finding that the Gloucester County, Virginia school board’s mandate did not violate Grimm's rights because the school provides comparable bathrooms for both genders.
The 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the district court’s decision following the federal agencies' guidance, which states that schools should allow students to use the bathroom of their choice regardless of the gender listed on their birth certificate.
Title IX, a 1972 US education law, prohibits education programs that receive federal government funding from discriminating against anyone based on sex.
