Judge dismisses lawsuit by mother who said school hid teen’s gender expression

PORTLAND, Maine — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Maine woman who accused school officials of encouraging her teen’s gender expression by providing a casket folder and using a new name and pronouns without consulting parents.

U.S. District Judge Jon Levy acknowledged his decision that a mother like Amber Lavigne “would expect school officials to keep her informed about how her child is dealing with issues related to gender identity,” but he concluded that she was not was successful in filing legal claims for which the school district could be held liable.

The lawsuit filed last year was the latest to weigh a minor’s right to privacy when confiding in a mental health professional against the right of parents to oversee their children’s health and education.

According to the lawsuit, a school counselor provided the coffin folder and instructions on how to use it. The mother, who has since started homeschooling her teen, said the school also started calling the 13-year-old by a different name and pronouns.

The lawsuit alleged that the mother “had the right to control and direct the care, custody, education, upbringing and health care decisions of her children,” and that Great Salt Bay Community School in Damariscotta violated her constitutional right by to conceal the student’s gender expression from the parents. .

The judge has previously dismissed claims against individual school officials. The remaining claim against the school board was dismissed by the judge in his May 3 order.