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A former Indianapolis Public Schools student sued the school district and state over a ban targeting transgender athletes and dropped the case, according to court documents filed Thursday.
Both defendants and plaintiffs in this action have agreed to dismiss the action on the grounds that the student named AM in the action is currently attending charter school and is no longer attending IPS school.
The lawsuit, first filed by the American Civil Liberties Union in Indiana in May 2022, argues that an Indiana law that bans transgender students from participating in all-girls’ school sports has limited equality to education and educational programs. amounted to discrimination under federal law that guarantees universal access.
The law took effect on July 1, 2022, but later that month a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction declaring that IPS must allow AM to return to its softball team. Did. The judge wrote in her preliminary injunction that she could have prevailed on AM on allegations that the law violated her civil rights.
Related:Judge says 10-year-old girl can return to softball team
Indiana’s ACLU said in a statement Thursday that it agreed to the dismissal but still considered the law discriminatory.
“We believe that when misinformation about biology and gender is used to keep transgender girls out of school sports, it’s a law that protects all students, including transgender people.” We support our contention that it amounts to the same forms of discrimination that have long been prohibited under IX: on the basis of sex and under the Equal Protection Clause,” the statement said.
The ACLU continued to say that if another transgender student in Indiana is being prevented from participating in a public school sports team, that student should reach out to them.
The law has been in effect for the rest of Indiana since last July, and the previous judge’s injunction applied only to AM.
Alliance Defending Freedom, a faith-based nonprofit legal organization, said in a statement that the dismissal of the lawsuit is a victory for Indiana’s female athletes.
“Biological differences in sports are more than just common sense. We need to ensure that girls can continue to play the sport they love on a fair and level playing field,” said ADF legal counsel Rachel Kustros. I was. “Indiana joins a coalition of states that have enacted legislation to maintain fair competition for female athletes.”
In a statement to IndyStar, IPS School District said the district will continue its efforts to support all students.
“We will continue to support our students, including transgender students, with the same care and diligence we showed prior to the passage of the law and the filing (and subsequent dismissal) of the lawsuit,” the statement said. I’m here.
Details of HB 1041:Indiana governor refuses to ban transgender girls in school sports, but it becomes law
House Bill 1041, passed last year, states that transgender students cannot participate in women’s sports teams organized or sponsored by incorporated schools, public schools, or nonpublic schools. Since charter schools are public schools, AMs will continue to be prohibited from playing on the girls’ team at their new school.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb vetoed the bill last March after saying the bill covers issues that don’t exist in Indiana. The Republican-controlled Congress overturned Holcomb’s veto in May, paving the way for the law to take effect in July.
The IndyStar Archive contributed to this report.
Contact IndyStar reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or [email protected]Follow her on Twitter. @CarolineB_Indy.
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