A federal judge rejects a legal challenge against Tennessee’s school bathroom law

A recent federal court ruling has dismissed a lawsuit challenging a Tennessee law that prohibits transgender students and staff from using school bathrooms or locker rooms that align with their gender identities. The lawsuit was initiated by a transgender student known as D.H., who claimed that her school withdrew support for her social transition following the implementation of policies by the Republican-dominated Statehouse and GOP Gov. Bill Lee targeting accommodations for transgender individuals.
In response to D.H.’s lawsuit, the school opted to provide her with access to one of four single-occupancy restrooms. However, D.H.’s legal representatives argued that this accommodation caused significant stress, leading the student to briefly refrain from using the restroom and restricting her intake of food and water to minimize restroom visits. The lawsuit contended that the state law violated D.H.’s constitutional rights under the Equal Protection Clause and Title IX, a federal law from 1972 prohibiting sex discrimination in education.
Initially, U.S. District Judge William Campbell allowed the case to proceed based on the Equal Protection Clause claim but dismissed the allegations of Title IX violations in 2023. Nevertheless, in a recent development, Campbell dismissed the lawsuit entirely, citing rulings in other transgender-related cases as influencing his decision. Specifically, Campbell referenced the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals’ affirmation of two Tennessee laws regarding transgender issues, which were deemed to treat both sexes equally.
The lawsuit, which was handled by the Human Rights Campaign, sought to challenge the Tennessee Accommodations for All Children Act, commonly known as the bathroom law. Another lawsuit that attempted to contest this law was abandoned when the child plaintiffs relocated out of state. This legal dispute was one of numerous attempts across the U.S. to challenge laws prohibiting transgender individuals from using facilities aligning with their gender identities in public schools and government establishments.
Critics argue that these laws discriminate against transgender individuals and undermine their rights. The Human Rights Campaign has noted that Tennessee has enacted a significant number of anti-LGBTQ+ laws compared to other states since 2015, with more than 20 bills advancing through the Legislature in recent months. The ongoing legal battles highlight the complex and contentious nature of discussions surrounding LGBTQ+ rights and protections in the United States.