Students Punished For Objecting To Trans-Identifying Girl In Boys’ Locker Room
Two male students at Stone Bridge High School in Loudoun County, Virginia, have been suspended after the district’s Title IX office ruled that they discriminated against a transgender-identifying female who entered the boys’ locker room.
The Incident
The punishment stems from a video recorded earlier this year by the trans-identifying student, in which the boys voiced discomfort at her presence in the locker room. They can be heard saying, “There’s a girl in here? … Why is there a girl? … I’m so uncomfortable around a girl. … Female – bruh – get out of here.” Following a complaint, Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) determined the boys’ remarks constituted sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination.
Disciplinary Measures
Both boys, who are rising juniors, were suspended for 10 days. In addition, they were hit with a no-contact order barring them from speaking to or approaching the trans-identifying girl. The district also mandated meetings with administrators to devise a corrective action plan. According to their attorney, Josh Hetzler, the students and their families were notified of the decision last Friday.
Notably, while the boys face suspension and long-term consequences, the transgender-identifying student who recorded video inside the locker room—an action that violated school policy—has not been disciplined.
Parent and Legal Reactions
Parents have condemned the district’s decision. One parent expressed outrage that their son was branded guilty of sexual harassment “with no solid evidence whatsoever,” warning that the accusation could scar his future. Hetzler has also criticized the process as biased and unjust.
Federal and State-Level Pushback
Education Secretary Linda McMahon weighed in, arguing the situation reflects the growing clash between gender policies and basic privacy rights. “Boys should not be in girls’ sports and vice versa—in their private spaces,” she said, warning that LCPS risks losing federal funding for violating the law.
The controversy is tied to LCPS’s Policy 8040, which allows students to use facilities aligning with their self-declared gender identity. Parents have long opposed the measure, saying it prioritizes transgender students’ preferences over the safety and privacy of others.
Political and Legal Fallout
LCPS has already faced national criticism for its handling of gender and safety policies, including an attempt to silence local journalists who investigated its decisions. The Trump administration’s Department of Education is now threatening to cut federal funds to the district for failing to comply with directives to revise its bathroom and locker room policies.
At a recent school board meeting, one parent blasted the district’s secrecy, quipping, “The only trans policy you don’t promote is transparency.”
This latest case has reignited the debate over student privacy, parental rights, and the growing divide between federal directives and school district policies.