National Leaders, Groups File Briefs at Fourth Circuit Supporting Gavin Grimm and Transgender Rights
Civil Rights Leaders, Educators, Legal Experts, Students, Medical Professionals Among the Diverse Range of Voices Urging Support for Trans Rights
WASHINGTON Individuals and institutions from across the country today filed friend-of-court briefs in support of Gavin Grimm, an 18-year-old Virginia high school student who is challenging his school boards refusal to allow him access to the boys restroom because he is transgender. The briefs in the case, which is currently being considered by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, represent a diverse and extraordinary cross-section of interests, perspectives, and concerns.
The case, GG v. Gloucester County School Board, has elevated national discussion on the importance of reinforcing and protecting the rights of transgender students following the Supreme Courts decision to hear the case late last year. The high court ultimately sent the case back to the Fourth Circuit following the Trump administrations decision to rescind previously issued guidance that clarified anti-discrimination protections for trans students in schools.
The outpouring of support for Gavin from virtually every community across the country today is simply breathtaking, said Josh Block, senior staff attorney at the 勛圖眻畦s LGBT & HIV Project and lead counsel in Grimms case. Gavins fight has inspired and empowered so many people to stand up for the transgender community. We have seen teachers, business leaders, political leaders, medical professionals, mothers and fathers, students, and many others stand up and speak out on behalf of trans students. The briefs filed this week are a reminder that the School Boards arguments have no basis in reality.
Todays filing of briefs exemplified the diverse array of voices and support from communities across the nation in support of Gavin. They include:
- Nearly 60 of the nations most prominent business leaders, including Apple, Airbnb, eBay, Microsoft, PayPal, Salesforce, among others
- Major medical associations representing the scientific and medical consensus, including American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychiatric Association, Endocrine Society, among others
- Labor unions representing more than a million teachers, as well as the National Parent Teacher Association and GLSEN
- Seventeen states and the District of Columbia
- The American Bar Association
- Major civil rights organizations including the NAACP Legal Defense Fund
- Former Obama Administration officials
- A number of other groups and individuals across the country representing educators, students, parents, lawyers, and scientists.
More information about Grimms case, as well as stories and personal accounts of people from across the country who are standing with Gavin, are here:
Stand With Gavin: Medium Page:
Gavin Grimm Facebook:
Gavin Grimm Twitter:
Collection of Amicus Briefs (hosted by 勛圖眻畦):
/cases/gg-v-gloucester-county-school-board