WASHINGTON – Today the La Feria School Board decided to allow the formal tuxedo senior portrait of Jeydon Loredo to appear in the yearbook, after previously forbidding it because Jeydon is transgender.  The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, has been working with Jeydon’s family to resolve the issue in partnership with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

“We’re thrilled Jeydon will be getting the justice he deserves,” said HRC President Chad Griffin.  “It’s a shame that it took a threat of legal action for the school board to make the right decision, but we’re grateful that, in the end, Jeydon’s photo will be included in the yearbook.  Discrimination has no place in our society – especially our schools.”

Today an attorney for SPLC met with representatives from the La Feria School District following a demand by HRC and SPLC that Jeydon Loredo be allowed to appear in his high school yearbook wearing a tuxedo or risk a federal lawsuit against the Texas school district.  HRC president Chad Griffin was contacted by a member of the Loredo family for assistance on the matter, and HRC subsequently enlisted the legal support of SPLC. Both organizations have partnered to assist Jeydon and his family. The demand letter can be found at http://sp.lc/17TyU4Y.

In an agreement reached during the meeting, attorneys for the La Feria Independent School District agreed to provide written confirmation that Jeydon’s tuxedo photo will appear in the yearbook along with the other students in his class. In addition, the district agreed to follow its own corrective policies for cases of gender discrimination and provide training for those involved, along with a comprehensive education program for the school community. The district will also expressly include gender expression in its antidiscrimination policies.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all

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