Changing Minnesota law to protect transgender students

In 2021, Gender Justice won two legal settlements, together totaling more than $500,000, on behalf of transgender students Nick and Matt. The settlements follow a decision from the state Court of Appeals in Gender Justice’s case, N.H. vs. Anoka Hennepin School District cementing protections for transgender students in Minnesota schools. The court ruled that it violates both the Minnesota Constitution and the Minnesota Human Rights Act for a school or school district to segregate transgender students from their peers in locker room and bathroom facilities. These wins have sent a clear message to Minnesota school districts: It is illegal — and expensive — to discriminate against transgender students.

Gender Justice also launched a public education campaign to inform students, their families, and their schools about increased legal protections for transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming students who are returning to Minnesota classrooms. The campaign, “New Year, New Law,” also seeks to provide transgender students and their families with concrete, easy-to-use resources to help them combat discrimination when and if it occurs.

For more information on the settlements, see:

Transgender Student Wins $300K Settlement over Discrimination by Anoka-Hennepin School District

Transgender Student Wins Settlement Over Discrimination by Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose School District