Riverside High School Runners File Lawsuit Over Sports Displacement

Riverside, CA – Two high school cross-country runners, Kaitlyn and Taylor, have taken legal action against the Riverside Unified School District. They allege that their rights have been violated after they wore “Save Girls’ Sports” T-shirts in response to a transgender athlete being placed on the varsity team, which they claim led to Taylor being displaced from her spot.

The T-shirts worn by the ninth and eleventh graders featured messages like “It’s Common Sense. XX ≠ XY.” The students argue that they wore these shirts to express their views and raise awareness about what they see as unfair treatment. “My initial reaction was like, I was really surprised, because it was like, why is this happening to me?” Taylor stated. She expressed confusion over being sidelined despite her dedication to the team.

According to the lawsuit, school officials told the girls to remove or cover their T-shirts, saying they created a “hostile” environment and comparing their message to wearing a swastika in front of Jewish students. “We’re just wearing a shirt that expresses what we believe,” Kaitlyn noted, emphasizing that their intention was not hateful.

The suit also highlights what the girls see as a double standard. They pointed out that the transgender athlete was allowed to wear “trans pride” bracelets and that the school had other forms of social messaging displayed, including an LGBTQ pride flag. Taylor, who had a spot on the varsity team since August, was pushed to the junior varsity team for a crucial meet influencing college recruitment opportunities.

Legal representatives claim that the school’s actions violated the girls’ rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendments, as well as Title IX protections. A Title IX coordinator had previously informed Taylor’s mother about the investigation into the situation, yet maintains that Taylor would not be unfairly impacted by the demotion to junior varsity. However, Taylor’s mother believes this could significantly hinder Taylor’s chances of being seen by college scouts.

Julianne Fleischer, attorney for the girls, stated, “We’re seeing more and more women and young girls speak up and challenge these policies.” This echoes a growing concern among female athletes across the country regarding transgender participation in women’s sports.

The case has attracted attention as laws and policies regarding transgender athletes continue to evolve. Many are watching to see how this situation unfolds, as it could set a precedent regarding the treatment of female athletes and the rights of transgender individuals.

The Riverside Unified School District and Martin Luther King High School have been contacted for comments regarding the lawsuit.