The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has launched an investigation into Denver Public Schools after East High School converted a girls’ restroom into a multi-stall, all-gender bathroom. The investigation, led by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), is centered on alleged Title IX violations, the federal law protecting against sex-based discrimination in schools.
Why Was the All-Gender Bathroom Created?
The new all-gender restroom was opened when classes resumed earlier this month, according to local NBC affiliate KUSA. District officials explained that the decision was made to address practical concerns among students.
Scott Pribble, Denver Public Schools’ director of external communication, explained that students faced delays and disruptions due to insufficient single-stall restrooms.
“It was becoming a problem for kids that were trying to go to the bathroom during passing period,” Pribble said. “They were running out of time and being late to the next class because the one or two single-stall bathrooms just weren’t enough.”
Denver Public Schools has not yet responded to requests for additional comments regarding the investigation.
Title IX Complaint Sparks Investigation
The DOE’s Office for Civil Rights opened the investigation after receiving a complaint from a parent. In a letter to the school district, the department cited this complaint but did not mention any widespread community opposition.
Craig Trainor, Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, emphasized the seriousness of the investigation in a press release:
“Let me be clear: it is a new day in America, and under President Trump, OCR will not tolerate discrimination of any kind. I have directed OCR’s Denver regional office to investigate this matter fully.”
This investigation is part of the broader approach the second Trump administration has taken toward policies affecting transgender and LGBTQ+ individuals.
National Policy Shifts Under the Second Trump Administration
The announcement of the investigation comes amid a wave of new executive orders and policies affecting transgender people.
Executive Order on Gender Transitions for Youth
On the same day as the Denver investigation announcement, Trump signed an executive order blocking the federal government from aiding gender transitions for transgender youth. The order affects health care plans administered through Medicaid, Medicare, and TRICARE (the military’s health program).
The order also directs the Department of Justice to investigate and take action against states that strip custody from parents who refuse gender-affirming care for their children.
Military Policy Changes
Earlier in the week, Trump issued another executive order that may lead to a ban on transgender people in the military. The order directs the Secretary of Defense to:
- Update military medical standards
- End “invented and identification-based pronoun usage”
- Prohibit people assigned male at birth from using women’s facilities
These moves have sparked significant backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates.
Response from Advocacy Groups
The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism criticized the administration’s policies, with co-founder Heidi Beirich describing them as a step backward for LGBTQ+ inclusion.
“We are going back to the bad old days when LGBTQ+ people were investigated and hounded out of the military,” Beirich said in a press release. “This is an authoritarian attack on inclusion, equality, and the very fabric of a democratic military.”
The Broader Impact
The Denver investigation highlights the ongoing debate over the rights of transgender and nonbinary individuals in public spaces, particularly in schools. With federal actions targeting health care, education, and military policies, the current administration’s decisions will likely have lasting impacts on LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S.
As the investigation progresses, legal experts and civil rights organizations will be closely monitoring the outcome, which could influence how other schools across the nation implement similar policies.
Denver Public Schools’ decision to convert a girls’ restroom into an all-gender facility has now become part of a larger national conversation on LGBTQ+ rights. While the district intended the change to be a practical solution for students, it has ignited controversy and federal scrutiny. The investigation’s outcome could determine how schools navigate gender-inclusive spaces in the future, especially under shifting federal policies. As the DOE moves forward, advocates on both sides of the issue will be watching closely.
