LCPS Transgender Locker Room Incident Prompts VA Attorney General Investigation

ASHBURN, VA — Virginia's attorney general will investigate Loudoun County Public Schools after a report of an incident in a boys locker room associated with the transgender bathroom policy. LCPS countered that a media report on the incident had "false and misleading information."

Attorney General Jason Miyares announced the investigation of LCPS with support from Gov. Glenn Youngkin. The investigation stems from a WJLA report claiming a Title IX investigation into three male students who reported unease with a transgender (biologically female) student in the boys locker room. The WJLA report had referenced a male student's father questioning why the boys were being investigating for raising the issue, claiming the transgender student made a recording in the locker room.

"It’s deeply concerning to read reports of yet another incident in Loudoun County schools where members of the opposite sex are violating the privacy of students in locker rooms," said Youngkin in a statement. "Even more alarming, the victims of this violation are the ones being investigated—this is beyond belief."

The governor continued, "I’ve asked Attorney General Miyares to investigate this situation immediately so that every student’s privacy, dignity and safety are upheld. Students who express legitimate concerns about sharing locker rooms with individuals of the opposite biological sex should not be subjected to harassment or discrimination claims."

In a statement, LCPS identified Stone Bridge High School as the location of the boys locker room encounter but said the WJLA report had misleading claims "presented in a biased manner from a single source."

LCPS said it cannot publicly comment on student discipline matters due to student privacy laws but specified its discipline policy.

"To be absolutely clear: Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) 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 stated. "However, LCPS does investigate and may take disciplinary action when student behavior violates LCPS’ Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook for Families and Student Code of Conduct."

LCPS said it was "disheartening" to see Miyares criticize the school system solely based on the media report. The school system said its policies are based on state and federal law, including the Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board case that allows transgender students to use school bathrooms according to their gender identity.

"We reject any characterization that implies our schools are unsafe or that we fail to protect the rights of all students," LCPS stated. "We remain steadfast in our legal and ethical obligation to uphold the rights of every student and will continue to create and nurture an environment that is welcoming and accepting for all students, so that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed."

Stone Bridge High School was also the site of one of two 2021 sexual assaults by a male student that got LCPS national attention. After the first assault at Stone Bridge High School in May 2021, officials transferred the boy to Broad Run High School. In October 2021, the boy sexually assaulted a victim at Broad Run High School, according to court records.

The student behind the sexual assaults was the only person sentenced in those cases. The student was sentenced to a residential treatment facility, but Fox5 reported in July 2024 that a judge ordered his release when he was 18.

In early 2025, a case against former Superintendent Scott Ziegler, who was fired by the previous school board, was dropped. The charge of violating the state’s conflict of interest law for retaliation against special education teacher Erin Brooks was the only result of Miyares's investigation of LCPS. However, the attorney general's team ultimately requested the charge be dropped after a judge set aside a conviction and sought a new trial.

Wayde Byard, a former LCPS spokesperson charged in the investigation, was found not guilty and has since released a book titled The Battle for Loudoun County: Inside the Culture War Between a ‘Woke’ School Board and the Radical Right.