City of West Hollywood Expresses Disappointment in U.S. Supreme Court Announcement Not to Hear Transgender Rights Case

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif., March 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — The City of West Hollywood expresses disappointment in an announcement by the Supreme Court of the United States that it will not hear a major case regarding transgender rights. The Court vacated the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in favor of the plaintiff, Gavin Grimm, and remanded the case to the appeals court for further consideration in light of the Trump Administration’s reversal of the government’s position regarding the use of public school restrooms by transgender students.

G.G. v. Gloucester County School Board concerns a Virginia transgender boy who filed a discrimination suit against his local school board. The case addresses whether Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 requires school districts to treat transgender students consistent with their gender identity. Now, as a result of the Supreme Court’s action, the case will go back to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

On Thursday, March 2, 2017, the City of West Hollywood signed onto an amicus brief, joining San Francisco, New York City, and 28 other cities across the nation, to express support for the plaintiff in the Gavin Grimm case and to outline support for polices that protect transgender people from discrimination.

“All of this comes down to dignity and respect. We’ve seen a very disturbing trend from Washington since President Trump’s inauguration. In sending the Gavin Grimm case back to a lower court, the Supreme Court sends a message that the rights of transgender students are not worth considering at this point in time,” said West Hollywood Mayor Lauren Meister. “Gender-specific restrooms can be unwelcoming and potentially unsafe for many people whose gender identity falls outside of traditional gender norms — schools should not be allowed to get away with policies that encourage fear. The City of West Hollywood stands for treating everyone with dignity and respect. We will continue to speak out and do what we can to protect people in our community.”

In February 2017, the Trump Administration took action to rescind protections for transgender students that had allowed them to use bathrooms corresponding with their gender identity. In 2016, the Department of Education and Department of Justice under the Obama Administration had issued guidance to clarify schools’ obligations to prevent discrimination against transgender students.

The City of West Hollywood, in December 2014, adopted an Ordinance to require all single-stall restrooms in businesses and public places within the City to be gender-neutral. West Hollywood was the first city in California to adopt gender-neutral restrooms, a simple yet meaningful way to help ensure that facilities in the City of West Hollywood are welcoming and open to all people.

The City of West Hollywood has been one of the most outspoken cities in the nation in advocating for the legal rights of LGBT people. More than 40 percent of residents in the City of West Hollywood identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. The City of West Hollywood is one of the first municipalities to form a Transgender Advisory Board, which addresses matters of advocacy on behalf of transgender people in the areas of education, community awareness, and empowerment, and makes recommendations to the West Hollywood City Council.

SOURCE The City of West Hollywood