On October 6, 2022, the ACLU of Pennsylvania filed a complaint with the United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, and the United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, on behalf of seven students in Central Bucks School District who allege a widespread culture of discrimination against LGBQ&T students, particularly transgender and nonbinary students.
The complaint is based on a five-month investigation by ACLU-PA lawyers who interviewed dozens of students, family members, current and former teachers and other school staff, and community stakeholders. The picture that emerged is of a toxic educational environment for LGBQ&T students that has been exacerbated by homophobic and transphobic actions and policies taken recently by the school board and upper-level administrators.
The alleged discrimination is based on sex and the violation of the students’ rights under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments.
A redacted copy of the complaint is available below. It has been redacted to protect the identity of the impacted students, all of whom are minors.