Gavin Grimm

Gavin Grimm is an internationally recognized transgender rights activist, writer, and speaker. As a ninth grader in rural Virginia, Grimm stood against the Gloucester High School board when it prohibited him from using the boys’ restrooms. Initially, he won a U.S. Department of Education federal discrimination complaint and subsequently filed a federal civil rights lawsuit with assistance from the American Civil Liberties Union. This case lasted six and a half years and reached the U.S. Supreme Court twice. In August 2020, the Fourth Circuit Court upheld Grimm's victory against the school board, affirming that the board's policy violated Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution’s 14th Amendment. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from the school board in June 2021, effectively endorsing the lower court's decision and confirming Grimm's constitutional rights.

The legal precedent set by Grimm's case impacts states within the Fourth Circuit—Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia—and it serves as a guideline for future legal challenges involving transgender rights. Grimm's tireless activism has earned him a place on the ACLU national board, making him the youngest person ever elected to this position. He has been recognized as one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world.

Grimm has testified before Congress, delivered speeches at notable events like the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit, and given keynote addresses to groups such as the National Education Association. His story has been shared through various mediums, including a documentary short film that won a Webby award in 2018, and the National Geographic documentary "Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric." Grimm's writings have been featured in esteemed publications such as the Washington Post, People Magazine, the New York Times, and TIME Magazine. Alongside National Book Award finalist Kyle Lukoff, he co-authored his first book, "If You’re a Kid Like Gavin," a nonfiction children’s picture book autobiography.