BUCKS COUNTY, Pa - The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a complaint with several federal agencies against the Central Bucks School District for the treatment of LGBTQ students.
According to the ACLU, a complaint was filed with the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights Thursday.
The organization says the complaint was filed on behalf of seven students in the school district who allege "a widespread culture of discrimination against LGBQ&T students, particularly transgender and nonbinary students." According to the ACLU, the complaint is based on a five-month investigation that included interviews with dozens of current and former student and staff members, families and community stakeholders. "The picture that emerged is of a toxic educational environment for LGBQ&T students that has been exacerbated by homophobic and transphobic actions and policies taken recently by the school board and upper-level administrators," the ACLU said.
The complaint comes weeks after the school district faced backlash over a policy outlining names and how students can be identified in class.