Overview
Summary:
- The chair of a New York school board is suing Attorney General Letitia James over guidance that threatens removal for allowing parental criticism of transgender locker room policies.
- Concerns arose in Massapequa after a biological male began using the girls’ locker room, leading to heated discussions at board meetings.
- The state’s directive warns that board members could face removal for comments deemed harmful to LGBTQ+ students or for misusing pronouns.
- The lawsuit argues that this guidance infringes on First Amendment rights and discriminates based on viewpoint.
Kerry Wachter, the chair of the Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education, has initiated a federal lawsuit against the state’s attorney general. She contends that threats to remove her from office for permitting parents to discuss transgender locker room policies violate constitutional rights.
The controversy escalated when a biological male identifying as female started using the girls’ locker room at one of the district’s schools. This situation prompted parents and students to express their concerns during board meetings.
“Someone has to stand up for these girls,” Wachter stated. “They’re being brave to come out, but if Letitia James had her way, we would have silenced them as soon as they approached the microphone.”
The guidance issued by the state also cautions against using non-preferred pronouns for transgender individuals. Wachter criticized this directive as an attempt to suppress free expression and open dialogue.
Three other individuals from New York have joined Wachter in this lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court.
