On Friday, August 7th, the 11th District Court in Florida handed down their 2-1 decision in-favor of a transgender student, stating that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 includes protections against discrimination based on gender identity.
Back in 2018, then-high school student, Drew Adams, won a landmark case against the St. John’s County school board, stating that transgender students should be allowed to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity. At the time, it was a monumental victory for civil rights. However, in 2019, the school board appealed the case.
During the trials, Adams had help from Lambda Legal, an LGBTQ organization that helps further civil rights through legal counsel. Adams was quoted as saying, “I am very happy to see justice prevail, after spending almost my entire high school career fighting for equal treatment.”
#BREAKING: WE WON (AGAIN)!
A federal court just ruled that trans students must have access to bathrooms that match their gender.
Our client Drew Adams has been fighting for this right against his school in Florida since 2017. The 11th Circuit ruled in his favor.
— Lambda Legal (@LambdaLegal) August 7, 2020
It’s without a doubt that the district court used the Supreme Court’s June ruling to help base their framework of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, proving that every issue has a domino effect on others. Each win, big or small, can help contribute to the next victory.
