Apple Among 53 Companies Supporting Transgender Student in Supreme Court Case

Apple and 52 other major companies have signed a Supreme Court brief in support of seventeen-year-old Gavin Grimm, a young transgender man who's fighting with his local school district for the right to use the bathroom of his corresponding gender identity (via The New York Times).

Other than Apple, the tech companies include Amazon, Microsoft, PayPal, Twitter, Tumblr, Yelp, eBay, Airbnb, and more. There are also a few companies not in the tech field that have signed the brief, among them including GAP, Warby Parker, Williams-Sonoma, and MAC Cosmetics.

gavin grimm
All of the companies signed a brief that will be filed today by gay rights organization the Human Rights Campaign, who is urging the Supreme Court to rule in Grimm's favor. Grimm is represented by the American Civil Liberties Union in his fight against the Gloucester County School Board in his home state of Virginia. The case dates back to 2015 and the Supreme Court agreed to rule on it back in October of 2016.

“These companies are sending a powerful message to transgender children and their families that America’s leading businesses have their backs,” Chad Griffin, the Human Rights Campaign’s president, said in a statement announcing the support.

Grimm's case is heating up in the face of President Donald Trump's decision to remove guidelines put in place by the Obama administration, specifically covering the use of public bathrooms, showers, and locker rooms by transgender students. The previous rules allowed transgender individuals to use the bathroom of their corresponding gender identity, but now it's up to the states to decide whether or not to support the guidelines or put in place a more restrictive system.

Last week, when Trump's decision was announced, Apple spoke out against the move and reiterated on its belief that "everyone deserves a chance to thrive in an environment free from stigma and discrimination." The Cupertino company also vocally disagreed with Trump's immigration executive order, joining another legal brief supported by nearly 100 U.S. companies in opposition to that immigration policy.

Apple has long supported and fought for the rights of LGBTQ individuals, marching in the annual San Francisco pride parade each summer and condemning legislation that would freely allow businesses to turn away gay and lesbian customers -- which was signed into law by Mike Pence in Indiana two years ago. A subsequent amendment to the religious freedom legislation was passed in the weeks after the initial law was signed, granting more protection to LGBTQ customers in the state of Indiana.

For the new case regarding Gavin Grimm, the Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments from both sides at the end of March.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Top Rated Comments

patseguin Avatar
82 months ago
I am really, really, sick of reading all this transgender/bathroom/etc. crap. The human species is male and female. If someone makes a CHOICE to live a deviant lifestyle, I don't see why they should get special attention and privileges.
[doublepost=1488461298][/doublepost]
Trump is an idiot an a poor excuse of a president.
Don't be another liberal robot spouting what hear other people saying. Trump did not take away anyone's rights. His decision was to leave these policies to the state level.
Score: 128 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jcmeyer5 Avatar
82 months ago
Dang it Apple, just make tech.
Score: 66 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jsameds Avatar
82 months ago
I support Trump on this matter.
Score: 61 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Paul Dawkins Avatar
82 months ago
What the **** Apple? I didn't know Apple is that stupid.
Score: 39 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iMi Avatar
82 months ago
I am really, really, sick of reading all this transgender/bathroom/etc. crap. The human species is male and female. If someone makes a CHOICE to live a deviant lifestyle, I don't see why they should get special attention and privileges.
[doublepost=1488461298][/doublepost]

Don't be another liberal robot spouting what hear other people saying. Trump did not take away anyone's rights. His decision was to leave these policies to the state level.
The fact that you think it's a choice shows just how poorly informed and ignorant you are. Have some tolerance and compassion. Besides, how does this impact you in the first place? Why do you care? Trump is a con artist and a criminal with deep ties to Russia, white supremacy and troublesome special interests. He is a disgrace.
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jsameds Avatar
82 months ago
Trump didn't make any statement on this matter. So is your support merely blind?
The Trump administration rescinded the guidance that the Obama administration put in place.

I support Trump on this matter.
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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