The US Department of Justice has ruled that trans students have the right to use the appropriate facilities for their gender.

The decision was in response to a federal lawsuit from trans student Gavin Grimm – the first trans person to sue for bathroom rights in a federal court.

The Gloucester school district in Virginia voted to ban trans students from using appropriate bathrooms, instead forcing Gavin and other potential trans students to use the toilets of their “biological gender”. He was subjected to abuse, such as being compared to a dog and having his genitals discussed, in meetings at which he was present.

At the time, the school board said: “This issue is not about one student; rather, it’s about all our students. We as a Board are seeking to do what’s best for our district in an open, transparent manner.”

The Department of Justice has ruled that not allowing trans students access to the appropriate facilities would be considered sex discrimination.

Asaf Orr, an attorney from The National Center For Lesbian Rights said: “The federal government’s position is not only consistent with decades of legal precedent, but also the experiences of many school districts throughout the country that are implementing inclusive policies without incident.

“As those districts have learned, affirming a transgender student’s gender identity is an important part of creating a safe and inclusive school where all students can thrive.”