Robert F Kennedy Department of Justice building sign on stone wall.

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

The Justice Department is taking Loudoun County to court, accusing the school system of violating the equal protection rights of two Christian students in Virginia.

The suit claims Loudoun County Public Schools forced students to accept and promote gender identity rules under Policy 8040, which the Justice Department says pushed the boys to act against their religious beliefs.

“Students do not shed their First Amendment rights at the schoolhouse gate,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said in a statement. “Loudoun County’s decision to advance and promote gender ideology tramples on the rights of religious students who cannot embrace ideas that deny biological reality.”

Federal officials say the case began at Stone Bridge High School, after a female student walked into the boys’ locker room and recorded audio and video of them inside. 

Some of the boys spoke out, including the two Christian students at the center of the lawsuit.

"Policy 8040 requires all students, regardless of their religious beliefs, to adopt the Loudoun County School Board’s understanding of 'gender identity' — including its practical application that affects all students’ use of intimate spaces, such as bathrooms and changing facilities," prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said that "several boys spoke out about this incident, including two Christian, male students whose religious beliefs require them to use biologically accurate pronouns and use sex-segregated facilities." 

According to the filing, Loudoun County ruled that the boys’ religious views violated school policy and labeled their actions “sex-based discrimination” and “sexual harassment.” 

Officials said the district suspended the students for 10 days and ordered them to take part in a “Comprehensive Student Support Plan” they allege further violated the boys' right to "free exercise of religion at school." 

This is a developing story. Check Daily Voice for updates.