Long Island Parents and Educators Sue Attorney General Over Transgender Policy

A group of parents and educators from Long Island has initiated a lawsuit against state Attorney General Letitia James. They’re alleging that she is suppressing discussions around transgender students and athletes, as well as compelling school officials to use students’ chosen pronouns.

The lawsuit was lodged in federal court on Tuesday. It centers on a “guidance letter” issued by James in May. This letter cautioned school boards that discussing matters related to transgender students during public meetings could infringe on privacy rights, threatening that those who did so could face removal by state education authorities.

“They’re trying to threaten your seat every time you miss the line,” expressed Kelly Wachter, the president of the Massapequa School Board and one of the plaintiffs. She voiced her frustrations to the Post, stating, “That’s why we’re being targeted.”

Wachter suggested that these warnings serve as intimidation tactics. “If you don’t do what we say, we’ll take your seat,” she remarked. This seems to be how operations run in New York State’s education system, which she described as a form of tyranny.

The Southeastern Law Foundation is representing Wachter and Daniel Ciampino, who are part of the Rotterdam-Mohonase Central School District and the Rockville Center United Free School District. They contend that James’s warnings led to controversy surrounding transgender student matters.

The letter highlighted instances where some board members allegedly made disparaging remarks against LGBTQ+ students during meetings. “These comments include attacks on school support for LGBTQ+ student groups and the rights of transgender and gender-expansive students to access facilities,” it stated.

Furthermore, the letter urged that individuals should not intentionally misgender students. It pointed out that such behavior can lead to feelings of discrimination and psychological harm, including anxiety and depression.

It concluded with a warning, mentioning that board members could be removed for violating the Education Act or neglecting their official duties.

The parents and school board members involved in the lawsuit believe that the Attorney General is attempting to quash vital discussions about issues affecting students. This includes concerns from female students in Massapequa about biological males using shared locker rooms.

One student shared her thoughts at a recent meeting, saying, “I came here to talk about what I said at the last meeting that the issue of changing voices in the girls’ locker room is a parent’s problem.” She stressed that as a female student, it’s already tough to change in front of classmates, and adding more voices to the conversation is important.

Discussions surrounding transgender issues have become contentious in various Long Island communities. This includes a recent ban by Nassau County Legislature on transgender athletes using county sports facilities.

James’s office did not provide comments regarding the lawsuit, but maintained that the May 25 letter was simply an outline of state law and existing guidelines.