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6h ago

California Volleyball Players Sue School District Over Transgender Teammate

The federal complaint asks a judge to bar the athlete from girls’ teams.

Hernandez stands on the podium during a medal ceremony for the triple jump at the California high school track-and-field championships in Clovis, on May 31.
People protest during the CIF State Track and Field Championships at Veterans Memorial Stadium on May 30 in Clovis, California.
A.B. Hernandez, a public high school student in Southern California, wins the girls triple jump during the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet at Moorpark High School on May 24 in Moorpark, California.
Current and former Jurupa Valley High School volleyball players, from left, Hadeel Hazameh, Alyssa McPherson and Madison McPherson are suing their school district, alleging Title IX violations for allowing a transgender athlete in girls’ sports and locker rooms. (Courtesy of Advocates for Faith & Freedom)

Overview

  • Three current and former Jurupa Valley High School players and their families filed a federal lawsuit naming the Jurupa Unified School District, the California Interscholastic Federation, and the California Department of Education.
  • The filing alleges sex discrimination, sexual harassment, unsafe athletic conditions, viewpoint discrimination, and infringements on religious liberty tied to the athlete’s participation and locker-room access.
  • Plaintiffs describe unwelcome touching and comments, claim safety risks during play, and seek monetary damages along with an injunction removing the student from girls’ competition.
  • The complaint says at least six schools have forfeited or canceled girls’ volleyball matches over the issue, and it notes the athlete won two CIF girls’ track state titles and placed second in another event in the spring.
  • Jurupa Unified has previously said districts must follow California law prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity, while a separate Department of Justice lawsuit challenging state policies remains active.