A transgender civilian employee of the Illinois National Guard has filed a federal class action lawsuit challenging the Trump-Vance administration’s policy that bars transgender and intersex federal employees from using restrooms that match their gender identity.
The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of D.C., ACLU of Illinois, and Democracy Forward filed the complaint on behalf of LeAnne Withrow, a Springfield resident and lead military and family readiness specialist. Withrow previously served as a National Guard staff sergeant and earned multiple awards, including the Illinois National Guard Abraham Lincoln Medal of Freedom.
The lawsuit stems from a January 20 executive order signed by President Trump. After the order was issued, federal agencies — including the Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Defense, and the National Guard Bureau — instructed employees to use restrooms strictly based on “biological sex,” as defined in the order. Withrow’s supervisors then told her she could no longer use the women’s restroom.
On May 5, Withrow filed discrimination complaints with the Army National Guard Bureau Equal Opportunity Office and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, but neither resolved the issue. She has now taken the case to federal court.
The suit argues the policy violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, noting the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 ruling that prohibits employment discrimination against transgender workers. It also claims the order violates the Administrative Procedure Act.
Withrow said, “No one should have to choose between their career in service and their own dignity. I hope the court will restore dignity to transgender people like me who serve this country every day.”
ACLU attorneys called the policy discriminatory, unlawful, and part of a broader effort to target transgender people. Advocates said the executive order “micromanages” the personal lives of federal workers and creates workplace hostility.
Democracy Forward said the policy “is hateful bigotry aimed at denying hardworking federal employees their basic dignity,” adding that the case depends on people like Withrow who are willing to stand up to the administration.