Arlington schools stand against Trump’s transgender directive despite risk to federal funds

Arlington Public Schools Embrace Gender Identity in Activities

The health and physical education supervisor for Arlington Public Schools (APS) in Virginia has asserted that, in light of President Donald Trump’s executive order and the Department of Education’s approach to gender identity in K-12 education, the school system still supports students participating in activities and using facilities according to their identified gender.

Chris Wilmore, who oversees health, physical education, driver education, and athletics at APS, made this statement on hidden camera footage recorded by the Accuracy in Media group last October.

“Currently, Arlington School is adhering to our interpretation of Title IX, allowing students to engage in activities associated with their identified gender,” Wilmore stated in the footage. “They also have access to facilities that align with their identity. However, we do maintain a legal relationship with the Federal Ministry of Education regarding this matter.”

He also noted the existence of five school districts in Northern Virginia that do not comply with the federal Department of Education’s stance.

The comments came after a concerning incident involving Richard Cox, a registered sex offender, who was charged with indecent exposure at a women’s facility on APS property in late 2024. Arlington police reported that Cox, who identifies as transgender, faced multiple charges, including lewd conduct and identity theft. According to a report, this case has raised questions about APS’s policies.

“APS’s current policy concerning transgender students aligns with state and federal laws, including the Virginia Values Act,” stated APS Communications Director Frank Bellavia. He emphasized that recent court rulings confirm the right of students to access restrooms corresponding to their gender identity.

Despite a U.S. District Court dismissing APS’s complaint due to jurisdictional issues, the ruling recognized that restroom access based on gender identity is protected under Title IX and remains legally valid. Bellavia remarked on the district’s commitment to ensure an inclusive learning environment.

Since Trump signed the executive order in January outlining his administration’s stance, APS has faced various legal challenges regarding its policies. In August, APS took steps to remove a “high risk” designation that threatened its funding through a lawsuit.

In September, a district judge dismissed APS’s lawsuit, indicating that it should have been filed in a different court. Additionally, the judge denied a request from APS to prevent federal funding from being suspended during ongoing legal proceedings.

President Trump’s recent executive orders assert a pushback against what the administration sees as an overreach concerning gender identity, arguing the necessity of biological distinctions in accessing certain facilities. This situation continues to evoke complex discussions about gender policies in education.