Two female high school athletes take a stand for fair competition in girls’ sports and free speech rights, challenging policies that undermine biological standards and restrict expression.

In a newly filed lawsuit, two young female athletes and their families are challenging policies that push girls out of their own sports to make room for biological male athletes. K.S. and T.S., high school cross-country runners at Martin Luther King High School in Riverside County, California, are standing up for fairness after being told they couldn’t wear shirts that read, “Save Girls’ Sports” and “It’s Common Sense. XX ≠ XY.” Their message? Protect fair competition for girls based on biological sex. But the school claimed their shirts created a “hostile” environment, comparing wearing these shirts to wearing a swastika in front of Jewish students.

Additionally, one of the girls, T.S., a dedicated varsity athlete, lost her spot to a biological male student who did not regularly attend practices or meet strict varsity criteria. T.S. was pushed out of a key competition, missing critical exposure for college scouting, all in the name of policies that undermine fair play in girls' sports. Her family contends this violates Title IX, a federal law meant to ensure equal opportunities for female athletes.

Their lawsuit not only challenges the school’s selective enforcement of its dress code but demands a court ruling to restore fairness and integrity to girls’ sports. This case is about more than two young athletes; it’s a stand for free speech, fair play, and the fundamental right of girls to compete on a level playing field without being sidelined by ideologies that disregard biological differences.

Press Release

ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, NOVEMBER 20, 2024

CONTACT: Nicole Velasco at
media@faith-freedom.COM

Targeted for Speaking Truth: Brave Female Student Athletes Challenge Woke Policies Threatening Girls' Sports and Free Speech

For Immediate Release, Murrieta, CA - Today, two high school female athletes and their families filed a federal lawsuit against the Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) and school officials at Martin Luther King High School, alleging violations of their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights as well as Title IX protections. The plaintiffs, K.S., a ninth-grade cross-country athlete, and T.S., an eleventh-grade cross-country athlete and team captain, contend that RUSD’s policies unfairly restrict their freedom of expression and deny them fair and equal access to athletic opportunities.

The lawsuit stems from incidents where both athletes wore shirts bearing the messages “Save Girls’ Sports” and “It’s Common Sense. XX ≠ XY” in support of biological standards for female sports. School officials ordered the students to remove or conceal the shirts, claiming they created a “hostile” environment, comparing wearing these shirts to wearing a swastika in front of Jewish students.

In addition to free speech concerns, the complaint highlights RUSD’s failure to comply with Title IX, which guarantees equal athletic opportunities based on biological sex. T.S. was ousted from her position on the varsity cross-country team to make room for a biological male transgender athlete who did not consistently attend practices and failed to meet the varsity team’s strict qualifying requirements. As a result, T.S. missed opportunities to compete at a high-profile meet, losing valuable chances for college recruitment and recognition.

The plaintiffs argue that the school’s selective enforcement of dress codes and failure to uphold Title IX policies violate their constitutional rights and place female athletes at an unfair disadvantage. The lawsuit seeks to affirm the students’ right to express their views, ensure fair athletic opportunities for female students, and hold RUSD accountable for policies that the plaintiffs allege are discriminatory.

"We will not allow boys to take over girls' sports or let woke policies silence young women fighting for fair competition," said Advocates attorney, Julianne Fleischer. "This case is about protecting equal opportunities and the freedom to speak out—values that should be upheld, not suppressed, in our schools."

"I’m calling on President Trump and the incoming Congress to restore women’s sports and to stop the mockery of women by this radical and ignorant ideology,” stated Advocates attorney, Robert Tyler.

The plaintiffs are seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent further suppression of their free speech rights, a judgment affirming Title IX protections for female athletes, and compensation for damages incurred.

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About Advocates for Faith & Freedom (www.faith-freedom.com): Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts. Our mission is to engage in cases that will uphold our religious liberty and America’s heritage and to educate Americans about our fundamental constitutional rights.

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For additional comments and interviews, please email Nicole Velasco @ Media@Faith-Freedom.com

About Advocates for Faith & Freedom (www.faith-freedom.com): Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts. Our mission is to engage in cases that will uphold our religious liberty and America’s heritage and to educate Americans about our fundamental constitutional rights.

Email info@faith-freedom.com to receive press releases. Also, join us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up-to-date on our progress in this case and others.