California School District Faces Lawsuit Over Transgender Athlete's Inclusion
Riverside Unified School District is accused of violating students' rights following a dispute over a transgender athlete's spot on a girls' cross-country team.
- Two female cross-country athletes and their parents have filed a federal lawsuit against Riverside Unified School District, claiming unfair treatment due to the inclusion of a transgender athlete on the varsity team.
- The plaintiffs allege that the transgender athlete, who joined the team after transferring, displaced one of them despite not meeting all varsity eligibility requirements, impacting opportunities for college recruitment.
- The lawsuit also accuses school officials of violating the students' freedom of expression by forcing them to remove 'Save Girls’ Sports' T-shirts, which were compared to swastikas by an athletic director.
- The school district maintains that its policies comply with California state law, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and ensures equity in athletics.
- The case highlights broader tensions over transgender athletes in sports, with similar disputes occurring at other schools and even at the collegiate level in California.
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