Overview
- The Supreme Court, which declined review Monday, left in place a First Circuit ruling that dismissed the parents’ due process claims over a Ludlow middle school’s handling of their child’s name and pronouns.
- The case involved a student who identified as genderqueer and asked staff to use a new name and a range of pronouns at school while using the legal name and female pronouns in messages to the parents.
- The parents, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, argued the school secretly facilitated a social transition and withheld information that should belong to parents under the 14th Amendment.
- District lawyers said there was no policy to hide information and explained staff followed the student’s request in line with Massachusetts guidance that urges speaking with students first for safety and acceptance concerns.
- The Court’s move sets no nationwide precedent, even as related fights continue, including a March order blocking a California disclosure rule and pending petitions such as a Florida case that could give the justices another chance to weigh in.