PORTLAND, Maine (AP) 鈥� A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by a Maine woman who accused school officials of encouraging her teen鈥檚 gender expression by providing a chest binder and using a new name and pronouns, without consulting parents.
U.S. District Judge Jon Levy acknowledged his decision that a mother such as Amber Lavigne 鈥渕ight expect school officials to keep her informed about how her child is navigating matters related to gender identity鈥� but he concluded that she failed to establish legal claims for which the school district could be held liable.
The was the latest to weigh a minor鈥檚 right to privacy when confiding in a mental health professional against a parent鈥檚 right to supervise their children鈥檚 health and education.
According to the lawsuit, a school counselor provided the chest binder and instruction on how to use it. The mother, who has since begun home-schooling her teen, said the school also began calling the 13-year-old by a different name and pronouns.
The lawsuit contended the mother had a 鈥渞ight to control and direct the care, custody, education, upbringing and healthcare decisions of her children,鈥� and that Great Salt Bay Community School in Damariscotta violated her constitutional right by keeping the student's gender expression from parents.
The judge previously dismissed claims against individual school officials. The remaining claim against the school board was dismissed by the judge in his May 3 order.
The Associated Press
