More turmoil over trans rights in NC after Supreme Court action

After the Supreme Court on Wednesday placed a hold on a Gloucester, Virginia transgender teen’s lawsuit to allow him to use the restroom that conforms with his gender identity, there were consequences to that action in North Carolina.

A federal judge heard a petition on Monday from the ACLU and others requesting an injunction against the anti-LGBT and anti-transgender law known as HB2. Conservatives say the law protects privacy and safety. Transgender people say it discriminates against them and that restroom safety is protected by existing laws.

Today, the Associated Press reports:

“A federal judge who's considering whether to block a North Carolina law governing transgender bathroom access wants to hear more from attorneys after the U.S. Supreme Court waded into a Virginia case.

“U.S. District Judge Thomas Schroeder ordered lawyers to tell him how he should treat Wednesday's Supreme Court decision. The court ruled that a Virginia school board could temporarily block a transgender male from using the boys' restroom at school.

“North Carolina's law requires transgender people to use the restrooms in public buildings that correspond to the sex on their birth certificates instead of their gender identity.

In addition, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district, which had announced a transgender student policy in June, is delaying the new rules, citing the Supreme Court action as well. The new policy would have let transgender students use school bathrooms and locker rooms based on the gender they identify with.

According to the AP, “The Charlotte Observer reports (http://bit.ly/2aUei3b) Charlotte-Mecklenburg Superintendent Ann Clark made the announcement Thursday, one day after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a Virginia school board can block a transgender male from using the boys restroom when school starts this month.

“Clark said her decision was based on the court ruling and not because a North Carolina-based group urged parents to deluge the school system with letters saying the regulations announced in June would jeopardize the ‘privacy, safety and dignity’ of students.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Copyright 2016 The Gayly – August 5, 2016 @ 11 a.m.