Equality Federation applauds this week’s decision by the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, ruling that transgender students’ right to use the restroom and locker rooms matching their gender identity is protected by federal and state law. Congratulations to our member FreeState Justice, who filed the original suit, and the ACLU of Maryland, who joined as co-counsel, on this historic victory!

Max Brennan, a transgender student at Talbot County Public Schools, was prohibited from using the boy’s locker room, with the school arguing that this accommodation would encroach on other student’s privacy. U.S. District Court Judge George L. Russell III ruled in favor of Max, making the ruling the first of its kind in the state of Maryland. This decision also adds to a growing list of anti-discriminatory Title IX rulings.

“I am extremely happy with the court’s decision, and think it is a great step in the right direction,” said Brennan. “I am hopeful that this case will not only help change policy for the better but help the students who are bound to come after me.”

“We hope this decision is a wake-up call for the Talbot County School Board,” said Jennifer Kent, managing attorney with FreeState Justice. “School systems in Maryland should know the law and should be protecting students who are transgender from discrimination, not singling them out for separate and unequal treatment.”