Concerns raised by female students about a male classmate with facial hair accessing their locker room have been dismissed by a Virginia school, leading to accusations about the boy allegedly watching them change, as detailed in a recent civil rights complaint.
Fairfax County Public Schools is under scrutiny for a potential Title IX violation after freshman girls reached out for assistance but were instead hurried to change for gym to accommodate the male student, according to the filed documents.
The situation escalated on September 2, when a 14-year-old girl discovered a male sophomore with facial hair in her locker room before physical education class, as claimed in the complaint.
This male student—identified by school administrators as female—was reportedly seen watching the girls change, according to the allegations.
Additionally, the complaint states that while the student identifies as female, they have also utilized the boys’ locker room and bathroom at the high school.
In the following two weeks, the apprehensive girl and her mother reached out to various staff members, including school administrators, but did not receive adequate assistance, according to the complaint lodged by the Defense of Freedom Institute.
Other families also reportedly contacted the school with their concerns as the boy continued using the girls’ locker room.
“I’m just astounded that this is happening, and that I must take such measures to safeguard my child,” the mother said to the National Review.
Though assistant principals informed the girl’s mother that a staff member had instructed the boy not to enter the locker room moving forward, they also stated they would not prevent or discipline him if he continued to do so.
The school authorities suggested that the concerned girls could use single-occupancy unisex bathrooms as an alternative.
However, by September 22, school administrators had “reduced” the amount of time freshman girls could spend in the locker room, allowing “the boy to use the locker room after them without being present,” the complaint specifies.
The student would then have the opportunity to enter the locker room to change alongside other female classmates in the same grade.
According to the complaint, school administrators conveyed to the girl’s mother that the boy has the right to utilize the girls’ locker room because of their gender identity.
A spokesperson for Fairfax schools informed The Post that the district has not yet received a complaint from the Department of Education regarding this matter.
“Staff is aware of the situation and is actively addressing the concerns in collaboration with the students and their families,” said the spokesperson.
“Due to our obligations under state and federal laws concerning student privacy, we cannot comment further at this time.”
The district is among several progressive educational institutions that could risk losing significant federal funding due to their transgender bathroom policies, according to officials speaking with The Post recently.
“Despite recent directives from the Education Department, Fairfax County continues to permit boys access to girls’ bathrooms, locker rooms, and other private facilities as part of its educational offerings,” stated Bob Eitel, president and cofounder of DFI.
“Given its persistent violations of Title IX and its unwillingness to cooperate and comply, FCPS should forfeit its federal funding until it conforms to Title IX requirements.”
Earlier this month, Fairfax Schools chief Michelle Reid expressed the district’s “commitment to creating an environment that is safe, supportive, and inclusive for all students and staff members, which includes our transgender and gender-diverse community.”
