Transgender Veteran LeAnne Withrow Challenges Trump-Era Bathroom Ban in National Guard

LeAnne Withrow, a transgender woman and retired Illinois National Guard staff sergeant, has become a prominent figure in the fight against federal policies that restrict transgender people’s access to restrooms and facilities in the workplace. Withrow, who served in the military for over a decade and now works as a civilian employee supporting military families, has filed a class action lawsuit challenging a Trump administration executive order that mandates federal employees use restrooms based on their sex assigned at birth rather than their gender identity.

The policy, issued in January 2025, has been met with widespread criticism from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and legal experts, who argue that it violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Fifth Amendment, and the federal Administrative Procedures Act. Withrow’s lawsuit, filed with the support of the American Civil Liberties Union , the ACLU of Illinois, the ACLU of D. C. , and Democracy Forward, seeks to overturn the ban and restore dignity and safety for transgender federal employees.

Withrow enlisted in the Illinois National Guard in 2010 and served as a staff sergeant before transitioning and retiring from active duty. She has received multiple commendations and awards for her service, including the Illinois National Guard Abraham Lincoln Medal of Freedom. After her transition, Withrow continued to serve as a civilian employee, working as a lead military and family readiness specialist for the Illinois National Guard.

Withrow’s experience in the military has been marked by a commitment to service and a desire to support her fellow soldiers and their families. She has spoken openly about the challenges of being a transgender person in the military, particularly during the early stages of her transition, when she would use the women’s restroom at odd hours to avoid confrontation. Despite these challenges, Withrow has remained dedicated to her work and to advocating for the rights of transgender people in the military and beyond.

The Trump administration’s executive order, signed in January 2025, requires all federal employees, including those in the military and National Guard, to use restrooms and other facilities that match their sex assigned at birth. This policy has been implemented across federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and the National Guard Bureau, and has led to widespread confusion and fear among transgender employees.

Withrow was instructed by her supervisors that she could no longer use the women’s restroom, a directive that has forced her to make difficult choices about her daily routine and her safety. She has spoken about the psychological toll of the policy, describing how it has made her feel like she is “walking on eggshells” and has forced her to dehydrate herself at work to avoid using the restroom.

Withrow’s class action lawsuit, filed in federal court, challenges the legality of the bathroom ban and seeks to restore the rights of transgender federal employees. The complaint argues that the policy violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, and the Fifth Amendment, which guarantees equal protection under the law.

Legal experts and advocacy groups have praised Withrow’s courage and leadership in challenging the policy. “This case is about people. Targeting transgender people is both unlawful and a dangerous example by our federal government, ” said Audrey Wiggins, Legal Director at Democracy Forward. “This policy is part of a national campaign to push transgender people out of public life, ” added Michael Perloff, Senior Staff Attorney at the ACLU-D. C.

Withrow’s lawsuit is part of a broader effort to protect the rights of transgender people in the military and in public service. The ACLU and other organizations have filed similar lawsuits and complaints in response to the Trump administration’s policies, and the legal battle is expected to continue for months or even years.

The bathroom ban and Withrow’s lawsuit have sparked a national conversation about the rights of transgender people in the military and in public service. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have emphasized the importance of protecting the dignity and safety of transgender employees, and have called on the federal government to reverse its discriminatory policies.

Withrow’s story highlights the ongoing challenges faced by transgender people in the military, and the importance of advocacy and legal action in protecting their rights. “No one should have to choose between their career in service and their own dignity, ” said Withrow. “I bring respect and honor to the work I do to support military families, and I hope the court will restore dignity to transgender people like me who serve this country every day”.

The outcome of Withrow’s lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the rights of transgender people in the military and in public service, and could set a precedent for future legal challenges to discriminatory policies.