Parents and school board members from Long Island and Schenectady, New York, have sued Attorney General Letitia James and top state education officials, arguing that New York’s efforts to protect transgender students amount to unconstitutional censorship. The lawsuit, filed by the anti-trans Southeastern Legal Foundation (SLF), challenges a May 8 letter from James and State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa. That letter instructed school leaders not to make or encourage comments that misgender transgender students, question the legitimacy of their identities, or imply that including them in school activities endangers others.
It cited state laws guaranteeing trans students access to appropriate facilities and protecting all students from discrimination, harassment, bullying, taunting, and intimidation. The guidance emphasized that free speech can coexist with reasonable viewpoint-neutral rules preventing discriminatory or harassing comments. SLF argues the opposite, claiming the state is forcing school communities to self-censor.
In a statement, SLF President Kim Hermann said, “Letitia James’ policies that say students cannot speak at their own school board meetings about the stress and problematic policies around accommodating trans athletes are anti-American and anti-constitutional.” The case lands as trans youth across the country report worsening mental health amid rising anti-trans rhetoric. A 2025 Trevor Project study found increased depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation tied to such political attacks.
