Judge Sides With Rock Springs Schools, Tosses Parents' Gender-Transition Lawsuit, Cowboy State Daily, Clair McFarland

In an article for the Cowboy State Daily, Clair McFarland reports that a Wyoming federal judge has ruled in favor of Sweetwater County School District No. 1, dismissing a lawsuit filed by Sean and Ashley Willey. The couple alleged that the district facilitated their high school daughter's social gender transition without their knowledge or consent. Represented by Child & Parental Rights Campaign (CPRC) Attorney Ernie Trakas, the Willeys contended that the school's actions infringed upon their parental and religious rights.​

Court's Ruling and Parents' Response

U.S. District Court Judge Scott Skavdahl granted summary judgment to the school district, stating that the evidence presented did not sufficiently demonstrate a violation of the Willeys' constitutional rights. In response, Trakas expressed disappointment, asserting that the court's decision overlooked clear evidence of the district's actions that infringed upon the family's rights. He confirmed plans to appeal the ruling.​

Background of the Case

The case centers around events from 2021 to 2023, during which the Willeys' daughter attended Black Butte High School. During this time, teachers and peers began referring to her by a male name and pronouns without informing her parents. Ashley Willey, a teacher in the same district, only became aware of this change during a district-wide training session in March 2022. Subsequently, the district implemented a policy requiring staff to respect students' chosen names and pronouns while maintaining confidentiality, a policy that was later modified to consider students' health and safety.​

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Source: McFarland, Clair. “Judge Sides With Rock Springs Schools, Tosses Parents’ Gender-Transition Lawsuit.” Cowboy State Daily, 29 Apr. 2025, cowboystatedaily.com/2025/04/29/judge-sides-with-rock-springs-schools-tosses-parents-gender-transition-lawsuit.