WILL files federal Title IX lawsuit against New Richmond school policy

(The Center Square) – The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of New Richmond Parents for Good Schools over the school district’s policy on gender identity and the use of bathrooms at the school.

“The policy has resulted in at least one male being frequently present in the girls’ bathrooms with girls, causing anxiety, stress, and an invasion of personal privacy for the girls,” WILL wrote in a description of the lawsuit.

WILL argues that Title IX states that schools can provide separate locker rooms, toilets and shower facilities on the basis of sex.

The lawsuit is looking for a declaration that New Richmond’s policy violates the 14th Amendment, which prohibits sex discrimination, and an injunction against the New Richmond school district from allowing anyone besides females from entering the female facilities and anyone besides a male from entering boys facilities.

“Girls should feel safe at school and their privacy should be respected,” WILL Deputy Counsel Cory Brewer said in a statement. “New Richmond schools left parents and young girls no choice but to go to court and sue to end this ridiculous policy allowing biological boys into the girls’ bathroom. WILL is proud to represent this association of parents and students to bring an end to this destructive and dangerous policy.”

New Richmond Junior Ella Frei is a WILL client who has been outspoken against the district’s policy.

“Protecting girls by not allowing boys in the girls’ bathroom shouldn’t be controversial – it should be common sense,” Frei said in a statement. “We are not going to abandon our identity as girls or ignore the real privacy concerns the school district has forced on us.”