MINNEAPOLIS – The Anoka-Hennepin School District, the largest in the state wth 37,000 students, was ordered to pay $300,000 to a transgender student who was barred from using the boys’ locker room during the swimming season. The state Court of Appeals said the Coon Rapids High School violated both the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the Minnesota Constitution. The student, identified only as N.R. in court, had used the boys’ locker room in 2015-16 swimming season and until the School Board stepped in and told the student he would be disciplined if he persisted. The Court said gender identity is for a student to decide. To settle the case, the School Board agreed to:
> Allow every student to use all facilities consistent with their gender identity.
> Establish a complaint procedure and prohibit reprisals.
> Start training School Board members, staff and students against transgender discrimination.
The American Civil Liberties Union was among organizations supporting the student’s cause.
Verbatim
Anoka-Hennepin School District: “The Minnesota Court of Appeals has established clarity for transgender student access to locker rooms. Since the decision, Anoka-Hennepin has modified its policy and procedures as well as training of staff and students regarding student right of access to any and all facilities consistent with their gender identity. All legal issues have been resolved. The district is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning environment for all students and families including transgender and gender-nonconforming students. The Court of Appeals notes the district’s approach in the majority opinion by stating, ‘We are sympathetic to all parties involved and readily acknowledge the task the school district faced as it sought to balance the privacy interests of all of its students while addressing issues that are of first impression in Minnesota.’”