US transgender student wins 7-year-long fight on bathroom rights in high school

The United States Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal brought by Virginia school officials that opposed allowing transgender teenagers to use the bathrooms reflecting their identity. It also handed victory to a transgender student who fought for years to use the boys’ bathroom at his high school. 

The Supreme Court did not give any reason for its decision, but the ruling stands in favour of 22-year-old Gavin Grimm, who was born female but identifies as male. The court also ruled that the high school breached anti-discrimination laws by not allowing him into the boys’ bathroom.

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“I am glad that my years-long fight to have my school see me for who I am is over”, the 22-year-old said, who began his legal fight at the age of 15.

“Trans youth deserve to use the bathroom in peace without being humiliated and stigmatised by their own school boards and elected officials”, added Grimm in a statement.

Transgender rights are the subject of fierce political battles between progressives and conservatives in the US, and the “toilet wars” was one of the most prominent episodes in recent years.

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The administration of former President Barack Obama asked public schools to let students use the toilets and sports locker rooms according to the gender they identify with.

But his successor, Republican Donald Trump, rescinded those guidelines in February 2017.

More recently, conservatives seeking to preserve traditional gender norms shifted their offensive to stadium access for transgender athletes and medical care for transgender minors.