After investigation into Loudoun Co. schools’ handling of locker room incident, Miyares refers case to federal government

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares says he has referred his inspection into Loudoun County Inhabitants School s handling of an episode in a high school boys locker room to the U S departments of Tuition and Justice In a news release Monday Miyares mentioned LCPS initiated a retaliatory Title IX inspection against three male students at Stone Bridge High School after they expressed sincere religious objections to LCPS Procedures which allows access to sex-separated facilities based on gender identity ' Miyares began his review in early May after WTOP s partners at News broadcasted the school system investigated three high school boys who noted they felt uncomfortable with a transgender aspirant who identifies as male changing clothes in a boys locker room The transgender participant was also accused of videotaping the boys discussion in the locker room According to Loudoun County Inhabitants School protocol Photography audio or video recording is prohibited in bathrooms locker rooms changing areas or clinics Monday s news release which did not include a link to the review Miyares forwarded to the federal establishment reported the school division appears to be punishing those who hold and express faith-based views Related stories Loudoun County School Board meeting debates bathroom-related issues It was not an accident Va AG says Thomas Jefferson High School s admissions protocol violates civil rights laws Lawsuit filed in Frederick County concerning alleged sexual assault of participant athlete Miyares mentioned the review shows a disturbing misuse of authority by Loudoun County Population Schools where students appear to have been been targeted not for misconduct but for expressing their discomfort for being forced to share a locker room with a member of the opposite sex Title IX was never meant to used as a weapon against free speech or religious convictions Miyares announced The news release from Miyares declared the research has been referred to U S Department of Guidance for Civil Rights and the U S Department of Justice Civil Rights Division for further inquiry and appropriate action In a May report LCPS spokesman Dan Adams announced the school system would not investigate or discipline students based on their personal opinions thoughts or beliefs provided those expressions do not violate policies prohibiting hate speech discriminatory language threats or other forms of harmful or disruptive conduct The school system reported it investigates and may take disciplinary action when pupil behavior violates LCPS participant rights and responsibility handbook and the novice code of conduct However since the matter could outcome in discipline the school system hasn t publicly commented on the specifics of the matter Source