Mediator designated for transgender discrimation case against Joplin R-8

Details for the mediation session in a transgender student's sex discrimination lawsuit against the Joplin R-8 School District were filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

The session, which will be held via Zoom, is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, May 27. 

If the two sides are unable to reach an agreement, the case will be set for trial. The mediator, agreed to by both sides, will be Michael J. Patton.

The lawsuit filed by the student's mother, Natalie Murray, claims her child was discriminated against because he was diagnosed as having gender dysphoria and was not permitted to use the boys' bathrooms or locker rooms at the high school.

Listed as defendants in the suit, in addition to the district, current Assistant Superintendent Kerry Sachetta, former high school principal Brandon Eggleston and former interim superintendent Norm Ridder.The allegations against the district and its current and former officials was detailed in the petition, which says the younger Murray became aware at age 10 that "he did not feel like a girl," and he "began asserting his male identity by age of 12."

More details about the lawsuit can be found at this link.