University of Pittsburgh, transgender student settle lawsuit over locker room usage

The University of Pittsburgh has settled a lawsuit filed by a transgender student who claimed he was wrongfully expelled from its Johnstown campus. The suit rooted from a dispute over his use of the men's locker room. 

According to ABC News, the University of Pittsburgh just settled the lawsuit brought up by a transgender student, identified as Seamus Johnston. The student said he was expelled from Pitt-Johnstown following a dispute over his use of the men's locker room. Though there is a reported settlement happened on Wednesday between Johnston and the university, the details remain undisclosed.

Previously, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by Johnston. It was ruled that the university didn't discriminate the student when he was barred from the men's locker room because technically, Johnston was still medically a woman at the time.

Johnston appealed regarding the claims of the university as reported by Star Tribune. Per court documents, six extensions had been pursued in the case since Johnston filed a lawsuit against the institution in 2013. There, he cited claims under Title IX and various state laws.

Meanwhile, the school said in the joint statement with Johnston that it will ensure the gender identity of students will be well respected inside the campus. 

WJAC added that the joint statement released also promised that they are setting up a group to recommend best practices on use of gender-specific spaces. The goal of this is to study, evaluate and make recommendations for the implantation of best practices that would be vital to transgender students. Furthermore, University of Pittsburgh officials noted that they have recently made a gender-neutral housing at Ruskin Hall.

A member of the university staff has said that the school's website now provides more with regards to other gender identities. It reportedly says "faculty, staff, and students are welcome to use any restroom that corresponds to their gender identity."

Tags

university, pitts, Transgender, lgbt rights, mens locker room, ruskin hall, johnstown, equality, Pittsburgh

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