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 inquiry into Loudoun County Residents School s handling of an circumstance in a high school boys locker room to the U S departments of Schooling and Justice In a news release Monday Miyares disclosed LCPS initiated a retaliatory Title IX review 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 study in early May after WTOP s partners at News revealed the school system investigated three high school boys who disclosed they felt uncomfortable with a transgender trainee who identifies as male changing clothes in a boys locker room The transgender learner was also accused of videotaping the boys discussion in the locker room According to Loudoun County Society 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 description Miyares forwarded to the federal ruling body announced 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 approach violates civil rights laws Lawsuit filed in Frederick County concerning alleged sexual assault of learner athlete Miyares mentioned the inquiry shows a disturbing misuse of authority by Loudoun County Inhabitants 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 revealed The news release from Miyares explained the study has been referred to U S Department of Tuition for Civil Rights and the U S Department of Justice Civil Rights Division for further examination and appropriate action In a May announcement LCPS spokesman Dan Adams declared 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 commented it investigates and may take disciplinary action when pupil behavior violates LCPS aspirant rights and responsibility handbook and the scholar code of conduct However since the matter could effect in discipline the school system hasn t publicly commented on the specifics of the matter Source