Maine Top Court Hears Trans Student

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) represented a transgender girl before Maine's highest court Wednesday arguing that her school had failed in its responsibility to treat her the same as other students. Following the argument before the Law Court, Jennifer Levi, director of GLAD's Transgender Rights Project stated, “I was pleased to present Nicole’s case to the court today & have been privileged to represent her & get to know her remarkable, strong & supportive family. We have a strong case here of a young girl trying to go to school & learn & the school failing to protect her. I feel confident that we got a fair hearing from the court & I look forward to their decision.” As a middle school student in Orono, Maine, Nicole Maines was treated like other girls until a male classmate followed her into a girls' room. The school addressed the boy's bad behavior by focusing on Nicole, forcing her to use a staff bathroom separate from the other girls. Eventually, the parents were forced to withdraw their daughter & her twin brother from the Orono school system & move them to another part of the state where they could go to school quietly & safely. Nicole also spoke after the argument stating, “I want all transgender kids to be able to go to school & not have to worry about being treated unfairly or bullied. I’ve been very lucky to have a family that’s stood by me & stuck up for me & I’m really grateful for them.” The decision in the case, Doe v. Clenchy, is not expected for several months. GLAD Attorneys Jennifer Levi (pictured above) & Ben Klein are representing the daughter along with Lewiston attorney Jodi L. Nofsinger of Berman & Simmons, P.A. Updates to Come…:)
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