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EXCLUSIVE REPORT – Two parents from Wisconsin have taken a stand against what they perceive as violations of their daughters’ rights. They have filed a civil rights complaint, alleging that their daughters faced disciplinary actions after refusing to share a locker room with a transgender student.
The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, known as WILL, has officially lodged a Title IX complaint on behalf of the parents with the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Education. They also reached out to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to address their concerns regarding Westosha Central High School. The parents claim the school “endangered the safety and privacy of multiple female students” by allowing a biological male to share the locker room.
This complaint, which was initially shared with Fox News Digital, asserts that the school not only permitted a male student to change with female classmates but also imposed penalties on those who sought to avoid undressing in front of the transgender individual.
The situation prompted one of the parents to pull their daughter out of the school entirely due to the distress it caused.
“Parents expect their children to learn in a secure environment, but that’s not the reality here. My daughter faced punishment for asserting her right to privacy and safety. The district’s misguided priorities forced us to withdraw from the school,” stated Nicholas Puchter, a former parent of Westosha.
According to the complaint, when the second semester began in December, two female students, identified as “Jane Doe 1” and “Jane Doe 2,” discovered that a male transgender student was permitted access to the girls’ locker room for physical education classes.
Although a few girls utilized the limited toilet stalls for privacy, many felt pressured due to the constrained time allotted for changing. The appendix of the complaint reveals a chaotic situation where students faced the uncomfortable choice between tardiness and exposure.
Concerns Voiced Yet Dismissed
After expressing their discomfort to their gym teacher, Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 were reportedly told not to worry and warned that resistance could be labeled “bullying” against the transgender student.
The complaint further details that the parents of the two girls contacted the school administration to address their concerns. Despite their efforts, the transgender student was still permitted to change in the same locker room.
During the winter break, the school community received a letter asserting that “no reports of inappropriate locker room behaviors were made to school personnel or law enforcement.” Yet, Westosha Central claimed it was actively taking steps to ensure the safety and comfort of all students using the locker room.
Academic Consequences for Speaking Out
Despite attempts to avoid changing in front of the transgender student, both Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 faced academic penalties. Jane Doe 1 was marked with multiple unexcused absences as she tried to evade the scrutiny of the male student in the locker room.
In one instance, when Jane Doe 1 sought refuge in the girls’ bathroom outside the locker room, a teacher scolded her for skipping class and compelled her to return to physical education.
Similarly, Jane Doe 2 was recorded as absent several times as she waited in hopes of an empty stall. Although her father intervened to excuse her absences, she still received a failing grade for the class. Ultimately, her family made the decision to transfer her out of Westosha Central, located in Paddock Lake in Kenosha County.
Allegations of Title IX Violations
The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty contends that Westosha Central has violated Title IX provisions by neglecting to address student concerns and failing to provide adequate accommodations. The school’s actions allegedly created an environment that hindered female students’ participation in gym class.
WILL is urging both the Justice Department and the Department of Education to investigate these allegations and implement necessary measures to rectify what they consider unlawful policies and practices.
Lauren Greuel, Associate Counsel at WILL, stated, “When educational institutions like Westosha pit girls against the impossible choice of facing a male student while changing or receiving academic penalties, they completely abandon their primary mission of educational equality. The laws necessitate protections for female students to ensure they experience the same opportunities as their male counterparts. The Department of Education must urgently investigate the decision to punish these girls for safeguarding their own well-being.”
Responses from Authorities
In light of the civil rights complaint, the Department of Justice provided a statement to Fox News Digital, outlining their stance on the matter. They conveyed that forcing girls to share locker rooms and compete against male students is not only unfair but also poses a risk. The Department of Justice remains committed to defending women’s rights and upholding President Trump’s executive orders, including those aiming to keep men out of women’s sports.
At the time of reporting, Westosha Central High School and the Department of Education had not replied to requests for further comments regarding this controversy.
Moving Forward with Vigilance
This case sheds light on a contentious issue that balances the rights of transgender students with those of their female counterparts. As schools navigate these complex dynamics, the response from legal authorities and educational institutions will be pivotal in shaping future policies. The outcomes here could resonate beyond the borders of Wisconsin, impacting similar cases nationwide and influencing the conversation surrounding educational equality and student rights.
