Two boys at Stone Bridge High School in Loudoun County, Virginia, were suspended for 10 days after asking why a female student was in the boys’ locker room, according to a 7News report.
The incident was recorded on video, but not by the boys — it was filmed by the female student, who identifies as male. Recording in the locker room violated LCPS policy, the outlet noted.
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Findings and Punishment
Instead of disciplining the student who made the recording, the school launched a Title IX investigation against the two boys. The investigation concluded that the boys were guilty of “sexual harassment” and “sex-based discrimination.”
As a result, the students were given a suspension, a no-contact order with the female student, and mandatory meetings with administrators. The disciplinary action will also remain on their academic records.
Parents Speak Out
Parents of both boys told 7News they were shocked by the outcome.
“I would say the first reaction was some anger, because we’re just really concerned with all this stuff,” said Seth Wolfe.
Renae Smith, the other parent, added: “We’re talking about scarring him for life by a biased process that’s supposed to protect fairness, but it’s shocking. It’s wrong, and it should terrify every single parent.”
Smith has since pulled her son out of LCPS and moved out of state, but said the district told her that if he returns, he would face suspension again.
Broader Title IX Dispute
Loudoun County is one of five Virginia districts — along with Fairfax, Prince William, Alexandria, and Arlington — that the U.S. Department of Education determined to be in violation of Title IX.
Governor Glenn Youngkin criticized the school districts in a statement this summer, saying they had “been violating federal law” by neglecting to protect students’ privacy and dignity.
School officials in the districts argue their policies are required under a Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Grimm v. Gloucester County, which found that denying transgender students access to facilities matching their gender identity amounts to sex-based discrimination.
Fairfax County Superintendent Michelle Reid told parents that her district would continue to follow its inclusion policies regardless of federal guidance. “We’re gonna continue to be the school district that welcomes and includes all students,” Reid said.
Federal Response
Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon responded on X with a brief statement: “Oh yeah?” — signaling that the Justice Department could take further action.
