The Metropolitan School District of Martinsville is seeking affirmation from the U.S. Supreme Court regarding a case regarding a transgender student’s bathroom access.
In a press release Wednesday, Attorney General Todd Rokita expressed support for the Metropolitan School District of Martinsville’s decision to appeal their case.
The case involved a transgender male student at John R. Wooden Middle School who was prohibited by staff from using the boys’ bathroom. The student said this was a violation of Title IX, which specifies discrimination based on sex in educational settings, and the Fourteenth Amendment.
Additionally, the case was compiled with a similar instance in Vigo County School Corporation. This case involved twin brothers at Terre Haute North Vigo High School. They were also denied access to the boys’ bathrooms. The two students had a medical condition and faced health complications from the restrictions.
Seventh Circuit Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt ruled in favor of the three students last year, upholding the decision from the southern Indiana district court. The ruling stated transgender students must have access to the bathrooms and changing rooms aligned with their expressed gender identity.
Read more: Federal appeals court upholds ruling giving Indiana transgender students key bathroom access
The Martinsville school district requested the appeals court reverse the decision. The district argues that the wording of Title IX reflects “sex” as a genetic term and therefore doesn’t apply in this case. The district also argues the Eleventh Circuit — which serves Alabama, Georgia, and Florida — more accurately ruled on previous Title IX cases.
Rokita agreed with MSD’s decision, stating “federal courts should never mandate that boys and girls must be able to use the same school bathrooms depending on gender identity.”
Rokita also encouraged the Vigo County school corporation to follow suit. The Vigo County School Board of Trustees have not made decisions to do so yet.
The Seventh Circuit opinion stated it is likely the Supreme Court will pick up this case or similar ones to provide more guidance on the issue.
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