U.S.: Transgender pupil denied rights

CHICAGO — The U.S. Department of Education said Monday that a suburban Chicago school district is violating the rights of a transgender student by refusing to allow her the unrestricted use of a girls’ locker room.

Education Department officials and lawyers for the student said the decision was the first of its kind on the issue.

The student, with the assistance of the American Civil Liberties Union, filed a federal complaint against Illinois’ Palatine Township High School District 211 asking for unrestricted access to the locker room. The district had proposed a compromise that would allow access but require the student to change and shower in a separate area.

“All students deserve the opportunity to participate equally in school programs and activities — this is a basic civil right,” Education Department Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine Lhamon said in a statement. “Unfortunately, Township High School District 211 is not following the law because the district continues to deny a female student the right to use the girls’ locker room.”

District 211 has 30 days to change the policy or risk losing millions in federal funding.

In a statement issued by the ACLU, the student, who hasn’t been identified, said she was pleased by the Education Department’s decision.

District 211 Superintendent Daniel Cates said in a statement that the district does not agree with the department’s stance.