New Jersey School District Settles Lawsuit Over Gender Identity Policy

The School District of the Chathams in New Jersey has reached a settlement with the organization Moms for Liberty, agreeing not to readopt a controversial gender identity policy. The board voted 7–0 to approve the agreement, which concludes a federal lawsuit filed in August. The policy in question, adopted in early 2024, had permitted school staff to withhold information from parents regarding a student's gender transition and allowed students access to opposite-sex facilities and sports teams.

The lawsuit alleged that the district's policy violated parental rights protected by the 14th Amendment, as well as First Amendment rights regarding free speech and the free exercise of religion. As part of the settlement, the district has committed to adhering to U.S. Supreme Court precedents, including the ruling in Mirabelli v. Bonta, which affirmed that policies concealing a child’s gender transition from parents are unconstitutional. The district had previously repealed its policy manual, and the settlement ensures the specific gender identity provisions will not be reinstated.