Parents in Colorado are suing their local school district over its policy regarding the overnight accommodations of transgender students. The lawsuit, filed by Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a prominent conservative legal organization, centers on an incident where an 11-year-old girl was allegedly assigned to share a hotel bed with a biologically male transgender student during a school trip. The case, known as “Wailes v. Jefferson County Public Schools,” has been submitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, with the ADF representing the families of the affected students.
The complaint outlines that the school district allows biologically male students to room with female students based solely on gender identity without informing or seeking consent from parents. This policy, according to the lawsuit, infringes upon the fundamental rights of parents to make decisions regarding their children’s upbringing and education. In particular, the case highlights the situation where Joe and Serena Wailes’s daughter, a fifth-grade student, was placed in a two-bed hotel room with three other students, including a biologically male transgender student. Upon learning her bedmate’s identity, the girl reportedly called her mother, who was serving as a chaperone, expressing discomfort and concern.
In addition to the specific incident, the lawsuit includes other instances where students were placed in similarly controversial situations. One example involves an 11-year-old boy who was assigned a male counselor for a school-run camp, only to discover later that the counselor was a biologically female adult who identifies as non-binary. These cases are presented as evidence of the district’s broader policy that prioritizes gender identity over biological sex in assigning overnight accommodations.
ADF Senior Counsel Kate Anderson emphasized the importance of parental rights, stating that parents, not government officials, have the authority to direct their children’s upbringing and education. She highlighted the conflict between the district’s policy and the rights of religious students who wish to maintain their values and protect their children’s privacy without facing compromises. The lawsuit argues that the district’s approach does not offer equal accommodations to all students, particularly those who follow religious beliefs that prioritize bodily privacy and traditional family structures.
Jefferson County Public Schools has not yet responded to the accusations, but the case is seen as a significant development in the ongoing national debate over transgender rights and educational policies. The legal battle reflects broader tensions between the rights of students, the responsibilities of educational institutions, and the role of parental involvement in decisions affecting their children’s safety and well-being.