The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals on
Tuesday refused to rehear a case involving a transgender student
which could impact North Carolina's transgender bathroom law.
The appeals court in April ordered a
lower court to rehear a lawsuit filed by Gavin Grimm, a junior at
Gloucester High School in Virginia who came out in his sophomore
year. Grimm argues that the school board's policy that prohibits
transgender students such as himself from using the bathroom of their
choice violates federal civil rights laws.
The district court had ruled against
Grimm.
According to Equality
on Trial, the decision means that the school board could turn to
the Supreme Court for review.
The ruling is likely to affect events
in North Carolina, which is facing a backlash after barring
transgender people in public institutions from using the bathroom
that corresponds with their gender identity.
The Fourth Circuit oversees courts in
five states, including North Carolina.