A wave of outrage is building in Colorado as several parents have launched a lawsuit against their local school district. The core of the dispute centers around a school trip where an 11-year-old girl was allegedly assigned to share a hotel room – and a bed – with a biologically male student who identifies as female.
The legal challenge, filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, argues the district’s policies prioritize gender identity over biological sex when assigning overnight accommodations. This practice, according to the lawsuit, occurs without any parental notification or consent, creating a deeply unsettling situation for families.
Joe and Serena Wailes recount their daughter’s experience on a summer 2023 trip to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Initially assured that boys and girls would be separated onto different hotel floors, their daughter discovered upon arriving at her room that she would be sharing it with three other students, including a student who was biologically male.
The girl, deeply disturbed by the arrangement, immediately sought out her mother, who was serving as a chaperone on the trip. This incident isn’t isolated; the lawsuit details multiple instances where children found themselves in similar, uncomfortable situations due to the district’s policies.
Another family shared a harrowing experience involving a school-run camp. They were informed their son’s counselor would be male, only to discover the counselor was a biologically female adult identifying as non-binary, assigned to supervise the boys, even during showers.
At the heart of the legal argument is the assertion that the district’s policies fundamentally violate parental rights. The lawsuit contends that parents have the primary responsibility for guiding their children’s upbringing and education, including the right to make informed decisions about their children’s privacy and safety.
Legal advocates representing the families emphasize that the district’s approach disregards the deeply held religious beliefs of some parents, forcing them to choose between their values and their children’s access to educational opportunities. The district, they argue, refuses to offer alternative accommodations that respect students’ bodily privacy.
The lawsuit doesn’t simply challenge the policy itself, but the lack of transparency and parental involvement. Families claim they are denied the ability to opt out of these arrangements or request accommodations that align with their children’s biological sex, leaving them feeling powerless and unheard.
This case raises profound questions about the balance between inclusivity and parental rights, and the responsibility of school districts to ensure the safety and comfort of all students. The outcome of this legal battle could have far-reaching implications for school policies across the country.
The families involved are seeking a change in the district’s policies, demanding that future accommodations prioritize biological sex and require parental consent. They believe that protecting children’s privacy and upholding parental rights are non-negotiable principles.
