SCOTUS declines to review trans-inclusive school policies

The US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) declined to revive a lawsuit on Monday challenging a Wisconsin school district’s transgender-inclusive policy allowing students to change their names, pronouns, and bathroom usage without parental consent.

Conservative parents, backed by America First Legal and the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, argued that the Eau Claire Area School District’s policy violated their religious and constitutional rights.

Conservative justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh supported hearing the case. Sixteen Republican-led states also urged the court to take up the case.

Lower courts have dismissed the lawsuit, citing it lacks legal standing since the plaintiffs failed to prove personal harm or that the policy affected their children.

The case adds to ongoing national legal battles over transgender rights, including a major Supreme Court case about Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors, which was heard earlier this month.