What to know about the federal gender identity lawsuit against Anne Arundel schools

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division sued the Board of Education of Anne Arundel County on Tuesday, alleging that the school system has allowed students to change their gender without parental knowledge or consent.

It’s the latest front in an ongoing saga related to the school system’s gender identity policies, which were first brought to light in July, when parents working with a conservative nonprofit sued the school system, alleging that a school “socially transitioned” their child without their knowledge or consent.

Shortly after, the Trump administration threatened to go after the county schools, including potentially revoking federal funding.

The federal suit includes the same allegations as those brought by the parents of a student only identified by the pseudonym “Mary Doe.” The parents are also anonymous in both suits.

The Trump administration’s lawsuit seeks an injunction to stop the school board from enforcing its gender identity policy and to provide parents an opportunity to challenge and correct any errors in their children’s educational records.

“Schools should not discuss preferred pronouns or ‘gender identity’ with a student without parental notification and consent,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said in a statement.

Anne Arundel County already was sued over this — and already revised its policy

Two parents, backed by the America First Legal Foundation, sued Anne Arundel County Public Schools in July over its policies related to transgender children.

Identified as Jane Doe and John Doe, the parents said the school “socially transitioned” their child by using a masculine name and masculine pronouns for the student without the parents’ consent or knowledge.

The policy said that every student has the right to be addressed by the name and pronoun that corresponds with their gender identity, and that school officials and families “can work to identify appropriate steps to support all students.”

The policy also required school staff to work with students and their parents to create an “appropriate” plan for supporting students and their gender identity — “unless there is a genuine safety concern” for the student’s physical, emotional or mental health.

The lawsuit brought by the Does said a school staff member told the Does in December 2025 that they asked students what name they prefer to be called at the beginning of the semester, and that Mary Doe said they preferred a masculine name.

The Does accused a teacher of lying to hide the fact that Mary Doe had asked to go by a male name, before later admitting that it had happened.That lawsuit is currently progressing through federal court, and the Justice Department filed a “statement of interest” in the case yesterday.

The school system has filed a motion to dismiss the parents’ case and has until Nov. 12 to respond to the Justice Department’s statement of interest, according to online court records.

Shortly after the Does brought their lawsuit, Anne Arundel County Public Schools altered its policies regarding transgender students and social transitioning.

The revised language in August makes clear that the rules on gender identity don’t block a parent’s rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and says that a student’s gender identity is not to be treated as confidential medical information.

Then, according to an internal document reviewed by The Banner, the school system further changed its rules, saying staff can’t use a transgender high school student’s preferred name if a parent is opposed to it.

Prior to that change, the school district did not require parental permission for teachers and officials to use a high school student’s preferred name or pronouns.

The Justice Department’s lawsuit acknowledges the revisions to the policy but says those changes “do not adequately protect parents’ rights.”

How is the school system reacting this time?

The school system said in a statement Tuesday that it disagrees with the allegations and stands by its compliance with federal law.

The statement also said the school system was “in regular contact” with Justice Department officials “in a good faith effort to resolve their concerns,” and called it “regrettable” that federal officials pursued litigation instead of continuing the conversation.

In an email Wednesday, school spokesperson Bob Mosier said the system had no further comment.

How are local leaders and groups reacting?

Val Anias, vice chair of Annapolis Pride, said the organization recognizes that conversations about student privacy, gender identity and parental involvement are “complex and deeply personal.”

But, she said in a statement, “We must also acknowledge that not every student experiences the same level of safety or acceptance at home. School policies must balance family engagement with protecting students’ privacy, dignity and well-being.”

In an emailed statement, County Executive Steuart Pittman called it “unfortunate that our federal government partners use our tax dollars to sue local school districts rather than to educate children.”

The broader context

The lawsuit was filed one week before Election Day. President Donald Trump and other Republicans have often used transgender issues as a political cudgel — and Democrats are favored by many forecasters to gain control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Moms for Liberty, a conservative parents’ rights group, celebrated the lawsuit on social media, thanking Trump and Dhillon for filing it. The organization’s Anne Arundel County chapter did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Lawsuits like the ones brought by the Does have successfully forced changes to these types of policies in other school districts, including in Maryland.

Earlier this year, Montgomery County Public Schools updated its policies to require staff to share a student’s gender identity if they’re asked by their parents. The change came shortly after America First Legal publicly urged the Trump administration to investigate.

This story may be updated.

The Banner’s Jessica Calefati contributed to this article.