Three high school student-athletes in Oregon have filed a lawsuit claiming the state’s transgender athlete policy violates Title IX and discriminates against women. The federal lawsuit includes the Oregon School Activities Association, governor Tina Kotek and three school districts: Forest Grove School District, Newberg School District and Portland Public Schools as defendants.
Oregon currently allows student-athletes to compete in the category that aligns with their gender identity rather than their gender assigned at birth. The lawsuit aims to change this state policy and overturn any sports records set by transgender student-athletes.
Three high school student-athletes in Oregon have filed a lawsuit claiming the state’s transgender athlete policy violates Title IX and discriminates against women. The federal lawsuit includes the Oregon School Activities Association, governor Tina Kotek and three school districts: Forest Grove School District, Newberg School District and Portland Public Schools as defendants.
Oregon currently allows student-athletes to compete in the category that aligns with their gender identity rather than their gender assigned at birth. The lawsuit aims to change this state policy and overturn any sports records set by transgender student-athletes.
According to KATU2, the three female student-athletes alleged that their opportunities to compete in track and field were diminished as a result of a transgender girl competing in their events. One plaintiff, a sophomore, previously “broke the state record for the fastest time in the 400-meter race.” However, that same athlete went on to lose the state championships to the transgender athlete in her heat.
Another plaintiff chose to sit out of a meet after realizing she would have to compete against a transgender girl.Â
Mikki Gillette is an officer with Basic Rights Oregon, a non-profit organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ youth. Gillette said Oregon should follow the example recently set by California. “In California, they have this new policy,” said Gillette. “If a trans girl is competing and she places in the top three, then four medals will be given so that one trans girl and three cis women will be awarded."
However, Leigh Ann O’Neill, a lawyer with the America First Policy Institute (API), countered that idea. “When males who identify as transgender are allowed to compete in categories designated for females, there inherently necessarily becomes a violation that occurs and there is no longer the equal opportunity for the females.”
API hopes that by filing the federal lawsuit in Oregon, sex-based athletic protections for K-12 girls in the state will be restored and Oregon can set a precedent for other states “grappling with similar policies.”
