Maine Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics Files Brief Supporting Transgender Girl
Today, the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and other child welfare organizations filed an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief with the Maine Supreme Judicial Court in support of a transgender girl who experienced discrimination and harassment at her Orono school.
The student, known by the pseudonym Susan Doe, and her parents have filed a lawsuit against the Orono school district alleging violations of a statewide law prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and expression in all areas, including public education and public accommodations.
Besides the pediatric organization, other signatories on the brief are: the Maine Psychological Association, the National Association of Social Workers – Maine Chapter, the Maine Women’s Lobby; Parents, Families and Friends of LGBT People (PFLAG) Portland; PFLAG Machias, PFLAG National; Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) Southern Maine; GLSEN Downeast Maine; Trans Youth Equality Foundation; and Maine Transgender Network, Inc.
The brief states that transgender children need to be treated like any other girls and boys in all aspects of school life – including access to bathrooms consistent with their gender identity – in order to succeed in their educational, social and emotional development.