U.S. judge blocks proposed transgender bathroom policy

U.S. District Court Judge Reed O'Connor, of the Northern District of Texas, on Sunday blocked an administration policy that would have directed public schools to allow transgender students use the bathrooms of their choice. The Judge granted a nationwide injunction stooping the policy from being enacted just before school resumption.

Judge O'Connor, an appointee of former Republican President George W. Bush, issued a nationwide injunction blocking the Obama administration's bathroom guidelines. According to O'Connor, the federal government failed to provide states with sufficient notice and opportunity for comment before issuing the guidelines. He said the guidelines had the effect of law and contradicted existing legislative and regulatory texts.

The judge’s order was a victory for social conservatives in the continuing legal battles over the restroom guidelines. However, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement it was disappointed by the decision and was reviewing its options.

Source: Reuters