UNDER INVESTIGATION OCR COMPLAINT: Bryan Station High School

On January 24, 2024, Parents Defending Education (PDE) filed a federal civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education against Bryan Station High School in Lexington, Kentucky for discrimination on the basis of race (or ethnicity or national origin) in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance in violation of both Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq., Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

PDE makes this complaint as an interested third-party organization with members who are parents of school children throughout the country. PDE and its members oppose discrimination and political indoctrination in America’s schools. Bryan Station High School is offering race- and sex-based affinity programming for individuals who both identify as females and are students of color; the programming is not open to all.

Attached to this complaint is supporting evidence in the form of a “Daughters of Africa” affinity group webpage on District’s website (Exhibit A). Exhibit A makes clear that program attendance is limited to only “female students who are descendants from Africa.” The group thus excludes others, and this exclusion is based on an individual’s immutable characteristics – namely, both race and sex. (Ex. A).

Accordingly, we ask that the Department promptly investigate the allegations in this complaint, act swiftly to remedy unlawful policies and practices, and order appropriate relief.

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On June 10, 2024 the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation into this complaint. See the letter here.