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 research into Loudoun County Residents School s handling of an development in a high school boys locker room to the U S departments of Learning and Justice In a news release Monday Miyares reported LCPS initiated a retaliatory Title IX analysis against three male students at Stone Bridge High School after they expressed sincere religious objections to LCPS Guidelines which allows access to sex-separated facilities based on gender identity ' Miyares began his inquiry in early May after WTOP s partners at News broadcasted the school system investigated three high school boys who commented they felt uncomfortable with a transgender participant who identifies as male changing clothes in a boys locker room The transgender scholar was also accused of videotaping the boys discussion in the locker room According to Loudoun County General School framework 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 statement Miyares forwarded to the federal regime declared 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 initiative violates civil rights laws Lawsuit filed in Frederick County concerning alleged sexual assault of candidate athlete Miyares disclosed the analysis shows a disturbing misuse of authority by Loudoun County Masses 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 mentioned The news release from Miyares commented the inquiry has been referred to U S Department of Learning for Civil Rights and the U S Department of Justice Civil Rights Division for further probe and appropriate action In a May report LCPS spokesman Dan Adams reported 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 mentioned it investigates and may take disciplinary action when scholar behavior violates LCPS candidate rights and responsibility handbook and the apprentice code of conduct However since the matter could product in discipline the school system hasn t publicly commented on the specifics of the matter Source