Virginia school accused of failing to protect trans teen from planned attack

On October 5, 2022, transgender high school student Tatiana Blount was the victim of a violent attack planned by fellow students that left her with serious and permanent injuries, according to a report from Norfolk, Virginia, ABC affiliate WVEC. Now, Blount is suing Lake Taylor High School in Norfolk for damages, attorneys’ fees, and court costs, claiming school authorities ignored her multiple requests for intervention and protection.The suit alleges that school officials displayed “gross negligence” and their actions violated Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Gender dysphoria is considered a disability under the ADA.) It goes on to state that the officials knew she faced persistent bullying and harassment because of her gender identity; however, they failed to provide reasonable accommodations to help keep her safe, even after several requests by Blount and her mother to do so.Blount began attending Lake Taylor High School in 2021, where she experienced severe bullying throughout her freshman year. The only action taken by school authorities at that time was having Blount expelled for the remainder of the school year for defending herself against a bully, she claims.According to the suit, just before the start of her sophomore year, Blount's mother met with the school’s principal, Latesha Wade-Jenkins, to discuss concerns for her daughter’s safety and well-being on campus. Wade-Jenkins agreed to inform teachers of Blount’s preferred name and pronouns, but did not provide any additional safety accommodations. Throughout September and October of 2022, Blount and her mother reported multiple incidents of harassment to school officials. These incidents included groups of students making comments about her body, confronting her in the restroom, misgendering her, and, most disturbing of all, physically assaulting her on the school bus by pulling at her clothing to expose her bra and chest.Despite the severity of