WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court heard argument Monday on whether individuals may sue for academic retaliation over complaints about unlawful sex discrimination.
The case involves Title IX of the Education Amendments and a girls basketball coach in Birmingham, Ala.
A section of Title IX says no person may be a target of discrimination based on gender in any education program supported by federal funds. The Supreme Court ruled as early as 1979 that individuals who suffer such discrimination are entitled to sue under the law.
Roderick Jackson, who coached girls basketball at Ensley High School, complained to school supervisors the girls team was being denied equal funding and equal access to equipment and facilities.
Though he continued to teach, he was relieved of his coaching duties in 2001.
A federal judge and eventually a federal appeals court panel agreed Jackson could not sue as an indirect victim of bias.
However, the Supreme Court will have the final word and should hand down a decision within a couple of months.
