"The Spokane School District of Washington State recently paid $60,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging that it had failed to protect a transgender student attacked by another student on school grounds. The October 2021 attack involved Ian Ring. At the time, Ring was a 13-year-old seventh-grader at Dr. Jonas E. Salk Middle School. His bully allegedly taunted him with transphobic slurs in the past and then attacked him while he waited for the school bus."
"Other students just laughed and recorded the attack, later posting video of it on Snapchat. The attack left Ring with bruises and a loose tooth, and Ring's family sought fourth-degree assault charges against the bully, though it's unclear if they pursued or resolved the charges. Ring's family also filed a lawsuit against the school district, alleging that the school staff failed to contact law enforcement or take appropriate steps to protect Ring against transphobic bullying."
""The conversation that we have always had about these kinds of issues is to walk away, not make yourself a target, especially when you're alone and not with family," Sara Ring said. "He's gone to the mall a few times and was wearing sweaters that are promoting identity, and you need to be very careful. Like, this is an issue, and if your family's not there to protect you, [you] can't just be yourself without worrying about even adults com"
A 13-year-old transgender seventh-grader, Ian Ring, was attacked while waiting for the school bus in October 2021 after enduring prior transphobic taunts. Other students laughed, recorded the incident and posted the video on Snapchat, leaving Ring with bruises and a loose tooth. Ring's family sought fourth-degree assault charges and filed a lawsuit alleging school staff failed to contact law enforcement or adequately protect him. On October 24, a judge approved a $60,000 settlement: $36,000 for Ring accessible at age 18, $2,000 to each parent, and $20,000 for attorneys' fees. Ring's mother had previously warned about safety when displaying identity markers in public.
Read at LGBTQ Nation
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