Federal Complaints Filed Against Wisconsin Schools for Excluding Gender Identity Protections

MADISON, Wis. (Civic Media) — Civil rights groups filed federal complaints against four Wisconsin school districts Tuesday, alleging discrimination against transgender and nonbinary students.

Fair Wisconsin and GSAFE filed the complaints with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. The districts named are Winneconne Community, Muskego-Norway, Abbotsford, and Hartford Union High School.

The groups claim these districts have excluded gender identity from anti-discrimination policies, violating Title IX protections. This follows a similar complaint filed against Kettle Moraine School District last month.

“These school boards are sending the message that trans and nonbinary students are not worthy of protection,” said Abigail Swetz, Executive Director of Fair Wisconsin.

The complainants argue that the districts’ actions create hostile environments for transgender and nonbinary students, despite legal obligations to protect all students from discrimination.

GSAFE Executive Director Tyrone Creech, Jr. said the groups will continue filing complaints “until these anti-trans actions stop.”

The organizations are urging community members to report similar actions by other school boards, pledging to file additional complaints as needed to ensure safe learning environments for all students.

The Biden administration’s updated Title IX regulations have faced legal challenges. A coalition of 26 states under Republican leadership, along with three conservative advocacy organizations including Moms for Liberty, have filed lawsuits contesting the new rules.

In a decision on August 16, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a ruling that prevents the Biden administration from implementing certain aspects of the new regulation.