New York state blocks second Long Island school transgender bathroom ban
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
New York state blocked another school district from enacting a transgender bathroom ban, according to officials; This is the second Long Island county where the state has intervened to prohibit the state from enforcing such a restriction.
The Locust Valley School District had passed an ordinance banning transgender students from using bathrooms and locker rooms that are not consistent with their biological sex, but the ban is unenforceable under an order issued last month by state Education Commissioner Betty Rosa, according to the New York Post.
The county’s bathroom ban is similar to the state’s first ban, which went into effect a few weeks ago in Massapequa and was also blocked.
“Under the Commissioner’s direction, and in the absence of an overriding administrative or judicial order, the district must now comply with the Commissioner’s interpretation of state law, which means students must be able to use a bathroom or locker room consistent with their gender identity,” the Locust Valley School Board said in a statement. he said.
MEN BROKEN FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT FILED IN FEDERAL COURT FOR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THEIR TRANS CLASSMATES’ USE OF THE LOCKER ROOM.
New York state blocked another school district from enacting a transgender bathroom ban. (Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The decision blocking Locust Valley’s policy comes amid an ongoing legal battle in Massapequa, where the New York Civil Liberties Union is challenging that district’s policy on behalf of a transgender student, the New York Post reported.
In the Massapequa case, Rosa issued a temporary stay in October barring enforcement of the decision pending “final determination.”
Under the new order, Locust Valley is now added as an interested party because the districts’ policies are “virtually identical in nature.”
LONG ISLAND COUNTY EXECUTIVE SAYS HE WILL ‘PROTECT’ WOMEN’S SPORTS AFTER COURT STOP TRANS ATHLETE BAN
The Locust Valley School District had passed a resolution banning transgender students from using bathrooms and locker rooms that are not consistent with their biological gender. (Istock/AndreyPopov)
Massapequa filed a federal lawsuit against the student’s parents, the commissioner and other state officials after its policy was blocked.
Rosa’s order said the outcome in this case could have implications for Locust Valley’s policy.
The Locust Valley School Board said it was “navigating a complex and evolving legal environment shaped by federal and state mandates” and was “pursuing further legal counsel” following the commissioner’s order.
The Locust Valley School Board said it is “navigating a complex and evolving legal environment shaped by federal and state mandates.” (Pictured via Mike Kemp/Getty Images))
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
In justifying the policy, district officials pointed to Title IX, which prohibits discrimination based on sex in education, and the executive order signed by President Donald Trump earlier this year that declared male and female to be the only two genders and warned that federal funds “shall not be used to promote gender ideology.”
But state officials argue that New York law allows transgender students to access restrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity.
