U.S. Supreme Court Blocks Virginia Transgender Student From Using Boys Bathroom

GLOUCESTER, VA — The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed a ruling that would have allowed a Virginia transgender student to use the bathroom that matches his gender identity. Gavin Grimm identifies as a boy, but the Gloucester County School Board would require him to use the girls bathroom due to his "biological gender."

The court ruled an earlier ruling would not be enforced until after a decision on whether the full Supreme Court will hear the case.

Neighboring North Carolina has faced public backlash and the potential loss of federal dollars over limits to bathroom access for transgender men and women. That and other state laws led the Obama administration to affirm that transgender students should be allowed to use school bathrooms of the gender they identify with, but some states and politicians have balked.

Grimm sued the Gloucester County School Board, and a federal appeals court sided with him. The school board asked the Supreme Court to issue a stay until an appeal is considered.

The court approved the stay Wednesday, pending a decision on whether the 8-member Supreme Court would hear the case in the next session. If the court refuses the case, the stay would be terminated immediately. If the court accepts the case, the stay will be in place until a ruling by the court.

Includes reporting by Greg Hambrick and Dan Taylor