AG Raoul Files Brief In Support Of Transgender Student Athletes

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined 20 state attorneys general in support of transgender student athletes, he announced last week.

In an amicus brief filed in support of the Connective Association of Schools, Raoul argued the court should reject a lawsuit filed by four students at a Connecticut school who claim transgender girls participating in women's sports would have an unfair advantage over cisgender girls.

The lawsuit is currently in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit in response to the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference's recent policy which allows transgender students to participate in gender-segregated sports according to their gender identity.

This means transgender girls would be able to play for a girls-only sports team instead of mixed group sports.

"Transgender teenagers have the right to participate in school activities, including sports, free of discrimination and consistent with their gender identity," Raoul said in a statement.

Lawyers representing the group of students argue Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 bars transgender female students from participating in gender-separated sports.

However, Raoul said in a press release he and participating attorneys see policies which allow transgender students to participate in any activities as having "societal benefits."