The Sconi

Loudoun County Public Schools announced a Title IX investigation involving three male students after they allegedly questioned a female classmate’s presence in the boys’ locker room. The announcement was reported by Restoration News.

According to Restoration News, the incident occurred at Stone Bridge High School when a transgender-identifying female entered the boys' locker room. The entry prompted questions from male students who expressed discomfort. The female student secretly recorded the interaction and subsequently filed a Title IX sexual harassment complaint, leading to a formal investigation by the district. This case has ignited public debate over the interpretation of Title IX protections, especially concerning gender identity and student privacy.

Attorney Josh Hetzler of the Founding Freedoms Law Center, representing the boys, said that their comments were non-hostile and typical of teenage reactions. Hetzler noted that video footage shows one boy asking, "Why is there a girl in the locker room?" while another remarked, "I’m uncomfortable." He emphasized these comments were directed among themselves rather than at the student involved. Hetzler also confirmed that recording violated Loudoun County school policy against unauthorized video recordings in private spaces like locker rooms and bathrooms.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin addressed the incident by announcing an investigation into Loudoun County’s adherence to state and federal student privacy standards. In his May 6 statement, Youngkin criticized the school's actions: "It’s deeply concerning to read reports… where members of the opposite sex are violating the privacy of students," he said, stressing that students expressing legitimate discomfort should not face penalties. Youngkin instructed Attorney General Jason Miyares to conduct an immediate inquiry into how the district managed this situation, underscoring the need to uphold "privacy, dignity, and safety."

According to its official website, Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) serves over 80,000 students across more than 90 schools in Northern Virginia. LCPS has often been under national scrutiny for its policies on gender issues, curriculum transparency, and administrative accountability. Stone Bridge High School, where this incident took place, is one of LCPS's prominent high schools and has previously been involved in other Title IX-related controversies.