The Supreme Court handed transgender student Gavin Grimm a victory after rejecting an appeal from a Virginia school board to reinstate a policy prohibiting transgender students from using bathrooms that correspond to their gender identity.
Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas voted to hear the school’s appeal.
The court left in place rulings from lower court that found the policy to be unconstitutional, as The Associated Press reports.
As The Hill notes, in 2015, Grimm first sued his school district in Gloucester County, Virginia, to access the boys’ bathroom. The outlet also points out that the decision not to grant the appeal means fewer than four justices said they would review the case.
Following the news, Grimm tweeted, “I was barred from the bathroom at my highschool 7 years ago, when I was 15. 6 years ago, at 16, myself with the [ACLU]/ [ACLUVA] filed suit in response to that discrimination. Twice since I have enjoyed victories in court, and now it’s over. We won.”
He continued, “There are just too many people to tag. Too many people played integral roles in our success and too many people who loved me so much. I have nothing more to say but thank you, thank you, thank you. Honored to have been part of this victory.”
There are just too many people to tag. Too many people played integral roles in our success and too many people who loved me so much. I have nothing more to say but thank you, thank you, thank you. Honored to have been part of this victory.
— Gavin Grimm ?️⚧️ (@GavinGrimmVA) June 28, 2021
Alphonso David, president of the Human Rights Campaign, also tweeted, “Incredible news. Thank you [Gavin Grimm] for fighting for this battle for over four years – and for all of us.”
Incredible news.
— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) June 28, 2021
Thank you @GavinGrimmVA for fighting for this battle for over four years — and for all of us. I am grateful that your resilience, courage, and determination have finally been rewarded. https://t.co/pohAHbRfwM
He added, “I am grateful that your resilience, courage, and determination have finally been rewarded.”
