A Wisconsin school district will have to pay $800,000 after being sued by a transgender student for discrimination. Ash Whitaker is a former student at Tremper High School. He sued the Kenosha Unified School District in 2016 for not allowing him to use the boy's bathroom and bringing disciplinary action against him if he chose to use it after being told he was not allowed to. Days after he graduated in June 2017, the Seventh Court Circuit of Appeals ruled against the school and upheld the lower court's decision to allow him the use of the male restroom during his senior year.
Wisconsin School District Has To Pay Out $800,000 To A Transgender Student For Not Allowing Him To Use The Men's Restroom
Ash Whitaker Sued His Former School District for Discrimination
According to the Transgender Law Center, the school district had to withdraw its US Supreme Court appeal challenging their decision as a result of the settlement. The Transgender Law Center is who represented Ash Whitaker in his case. The settlement also allows for Whitaker to use the men's restroom if he decides to return to the campus in the future, but this only applies to Whitaker, no other transgender student.
The Kenosha News reported that the school board voted 5-2 in regards to the settlement. A whopping $650,000 will go towards Whitaker's attorney fees leaving a mere $150,000 for Whitaker. The results and the acceptance that this case brought around will have a lasting impact on Whitaker and any cases like this in the future.
So, are you wondering why the school decided to settle? It was driven by the school's insurance company's concern over the legal developments, the mounting costs of defending the claim, and the risk of having to also pay for Whitaker's growing legal fees. When it comes to the taxpayer's money, only $25,000 was spent to cover the insured's deductible.
As far as Whitaker goes, he is happy that this part of his life is over. He says,"I am deeply relieved that this long, traumatic part of my life is finally over and I can focus on my future and simply being a college student." We really cannot blame him.
Tremper High School
This is where the discrimination took place. Whitaker said that his former high school practiced evident discrimination against him. He said that the school suggested that his classmates were bright green labels so they could closely monitor bathroom usage. The school refused to call him by his preferred name or even use proper pronouns when referring to him. They also refused to allow Whitaker to run for prom court and did many other things in order to isolate him from his peers. Because of this discrimination and harassment, Whitaker developed severe depression and anxiety.
The School Deserves Its Own Walk of Shame
It is hard to believe that any school would put a student though that kind of blatant humiliation. School is supposed to be a safe place for children. They go through enough by being bullied by their peers. The adults are supposed to protect them from that, not become part of the problem.
Ash Was Not Allowed to Run For Prom Court
It was just another part of the bullying and discrimination brought forth by the school. Now, the school has to pay out $800,000 for the issues that their discrimination brought forth in Whitaker's life. What is even more important than the money is the idea that this court case will leave a lasting impression on any future events. Whitaker's attorney says, "This settlement sends the clear message to all school districts that discriminating against transgender students is against the law and harms students who simply want to go to school."
Whitaker Has Became a Voice For Transgender Rights
Whitaker is deeply admired by the transgender community for his fight against discrimination. He says, "My message to other trans kids is to respect themselves and accept themselves and love themselves. If someone’s telling you that you don’t deserve that, prove them wrong."
Whitaker now attends school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We wish him the best of luck!