In accordance with the Kappa Kappa Gamma (KKG) lawsuit, Gene C. Schaerr and May Mailman appear as the new attorneys for Jaylyn Westenbroek, Hannah Holtmeier, Allison Coghan, Grace Choate, Madeline Ramar, and Megan Kosar each individually and derivatively on behalf of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority girls.
May Mailman, who graduated with a law degree from Harvard, is currently a Vice President for Legal, Strategy, and Communications at Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections (RITE), and Senior Fellow at Independent Women’s Law Center. Additionally, she got most of her experience in the law field while being a past legal advisor to former President Donald J. Trump.
Whereas Gene Schaerr, earned a law degree from Yale University, is now a litigator in state and federal courts including the U.S supreme court, and was a former law clerk for D.C. Circuit Judge, Ken Starr.
In an interview with May Mailman communicated that the motivation for her to take on the case came from her involvement in the Independent Women’s Forum and their legal branch. According to their mission statement, this particular group has been fighting to preserve the idea that women exist as human beings biologically unique from men.
“We can’t protect women or celebrate womanhood, if we can’t recognize that it exists. And we believe that recognition of “women” is at stake in this case.”
It was understood that the sorority sisters had to file a response by Oct. 24, 2023, which the Tenth Circuit court house did receive, and is moving forward with the appeal.
“The sisters’ first brief will be due December 4.”
With the case taking its next steps in the Tenth Circuit, it is a reminder that the investigation is still ongoing. Mailman hopes to establish renewed policies in accordance with the rules in the sorority houses if in the future would like to accept transgender individuals.
“I hope this case is resolved at the Tenth Circuit, and a reminder that moving forward, if groups want to go from single-sex to co-ed, they should have a discussion with their membership and make the change.”
As of right now the KKG appeal is moving forward, but will not make any more headway until the first brief anticipated by Dec. 4, 2023. The opposing side has the argument that sorority, specifically KKG, that “women” is not defined in the bylaws and it is their right to choose who enters. Mailman wishes to counter argue this statement.
“That’s not only wrong, and makes the English language a confusing joke, but dangerous. Women need and deserve single-sex spaces, whether they be sororities, locker rooms, prisons, or domestic violence shelters.”
The universal goal with the six plaintiffs, attorneys, and any favoring parties is the goal to preserve the image and spaces for women.
