2 Virginia high school boys suspended for objecting to female student in their locker room

Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) is suspending two boys who attend Stone Bridge High School for objecting to a female student who identifies as male using the boys’ locker rooms, according to an Aug. 18 report from 7News, an ABC affiliate.

“I would say the first reaction was some anger, because we’re just really concerned with all this stuff,” said Seth Wolfe, the father of one of the boys, according to 7News. 

He further said that he was “saddened by the decision-making process and how that went.”

Beginning in fall 2023, the female student began using the boys’ locker room, according to another report from 7News. In fall of 2024, she secretly recorded the boys when she entered their locker room. On the recording, boys can be heard saying, “I’m so uncomfortable with a girl,” “Female, bro,” and “Why is there a girl?”

[EMBED: Video shot by female student inside Loudoun boys' locker room is epicenter of Title IX investigation ]

Despite the fact that this recording was made in violation of the school district’s policy, LCPS opened a title IX investigation against the two boys who objected to the girls’ presence in the locker room.

The school district’s Title IX office says that the two boys sexually harassed the girl and are guilty of sex-based discrimination, Josh Hetzler, the attorney who represents the families, told 7News.

LCPS has suspended the two boys for 10 days. It has also ordered that they have no contact with the complainant, which means that they are not allowed to take any of the same classes. They must also meet with school administrators to determine a corrective action plan, according to Hetzler.

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares launched an investigation into LCPS’ actions.

“The reality is, is that Loudoun County Schools, what we have found, have bad policy and bad judgment,” Miyares said, according to 7News. “They instituted policy 8040, which allows biological boys, not just in women’s sports teams, but in locker rooms and bathrooms and on overnight trips and hotel rooms.”

Renae Smith, the mother of one of the boys, withdrew her son from Stone Bridge High School and moved her family to another state. She has expressed concern that her son’s school record now claims he committed sexual assault, which could impact his future. LCPS has said that, if her son returns to the school district, he will still need to face his punishment, according to 7News.

Smith and Wolfe both said LCPS is using their sons’ lives and reputations as a way to send a message that students and parents are not allowed to express any disagreement with the school’s controversial policy on students who identify as “transgender.”