Justice department sues California over transgender athletes in girls’ sports
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Trump administration sues California over trans-inclusive school sports policies
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit claiming that California’s trans athlete policies violate Title IX. The state has a law which has allowed students the right to participate in sex-segregated school programs, including sports teams. California Governor Gavin Newsom was not formally able to comment as he was not named a defendant. His office said the legal actions are ‘a cynical attempt’ to distract from the government’S withholding of funds for after-school and summer classes. If this story has affected you, call the Trans Lifeline Hotline to speak to a trans/nonbinary peer operator with full anonymity and confidentiality at (877) 565-8860.
On Wednesday (9 July), President Donald Trump’s administration sued California’s Education Department after it refused to follow the anti-trans Trump administration order, which bans trans athletes from competing in women’s and girls’ sports.
It’s the latest move between the country’s Republican administration and the Democratic state, with California’s high school sporting authority California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) changing its rules to support trans athletes, rather than taking Trump’s ban on trans women and girls in sport lying down.
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit claiming that California’s trans athlete policies violate Title IX, a claim which the Trump administration made two weeks ago, which bans discrimination in education based on sex.
The department says in the lawsuit that California’s rules “are not only illegal and unfair but also demeaning, signalling to girls that their opportunities and achievements are secondary to accommodating boys,” as per AP News.
It adds that its policies “ignore undeniable biological differences between boys and girls, in favor of an amorphous ’gender identity”.
“The results of these illegal policies are stark: girls are displaced from podiums, denied awards, and miss out on critical visibility for college scholarships and recognition,” the lawsuit says.
California’s Education Department and the CIF, which was also named as a defendant, said they would not be commenting on the legal action.
While California Governor Gavin Newsom was not formally able to comment as he was not named a defendant, his office said the Trump administration’s legal actions are “a cynical attempt” to distract from the government’s withholding of funds for after-school and summer classes.
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The state has a law which has allowed students the right to participate in sex-segregated school programs, including sports teams, and use bathrooms and other facilities that match their gender identity for more than a decade.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a warning to other states allowing trans girls and women to compete in girls and women’s sporting categories, that they may also be targeted by the federal government.
She said via a social media video: “If you do not comply, you’re next. We will protect girls in girls’ sports.”
If this story has affected you, call the Trans Lifeline Hotline to speak to a trans/nonbinary peer operator with full anonymity and confidentiality at (877) 565-8860. Support is available Monday-Friday, 10 AM – 6 PM Pacific, 11 AM – 7 PM Mountain, 12 PM – 8 PM Central, and 1 PM – 9 PM Eastern.
Trump administration sues California over trans athlete policies
The Justice Department claims that California’s transgender athlete policies violate Title IX, signaling inequalities and unfairness towards female athletes competing against transgender girls. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi warned other states that permit trans girls in female athletics could also face challenges by the federal government, emphasizing the protection of girls in girls’ sports.
The Justice Department claims that California’s transgender athlete policies violate Title IX, signaling inequalities and unfairness towards female athletes competing against transgender girls.
The big picture: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi warned other states that permit trans girls in female athletics could also face challenges by the federal government, emphasizing the protection of girls in girls’ sports.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office called the Trump administration’s moves a distraction from funding withdrawals for after-school programs and criticized the attacks on transgender athlete policies.
California’s laws allow students to participate in sex-segregated school programs and sports teams based on gender identity, which has sparked confrontation with the federal government’s stance.
Driving the news: Trump’s criticism of a transgender high school student-athlete winning titles in California track-and-field championships led to legal actions against the state’s policies.
The federal Education Department initiated an investigation into California’s athlete policies, urging changes that the state refused to comply with, resulting in the current lawsuit.
Other states like Maine also faced lawsuits for permitting trans girls to compete in girls’ sports, reflecting the ongoing dispute over transgender athletes’ rights nationwide.
Go deeper: The Trump administration’s lawsuit asserts that California’s policies disregard biological differences between boys and girls and disadvantage female athletes in sports competitions.