Lexington, KY – More than a dozen female athletes have filed a lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) over its transgender participation policy, alleging that it infringes upon their Title IX rights. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in institutions receiving federal funding. The athletes claim that the NCAA’s policy, which allows transgender competitors to participate in sports based on their affirmed gender, denies them the opportunities promised by Title IX.
The lawsuit stems from a ruling made by the NCAA Board of Governors in January 2022, which permits transgender athletes to compete according to their affirmed gender on a sport-by-sport basis, with the objective of maintaining fairness, inclusion, and safety for all participants. In response to this ruling, 16 female athletes from various sports, including swimming, soccer, and track and field, have come together to bring the lawsuit, asserting their right to the promises of Title IX that they believe are being denied.
One incident, in particular, highlighted in the complaint involves a former University of Kentucky swimmer, Riley Gaines, and Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer from the University of Pennsylvania. Both athletes had tied for fifth place in the 200 free competition during the 2022 NCAA national swimming championship. However, Gaines claims that she was told by an NCAA official that only Thomas would be allowed to hold the fifth-place trophy during the podium ceremony. The lawsuit suggests that Thomas, having previously competed in the men’s category, still possesses an unfair advantage in women’s swimming.
The plaintiffs behind the lawsuit argue that their objective is to achieve equal and fair opportunities for success and fairness at the starting line. William Bock, the lead attorney representing the athletes, emphasizes the importance of these aspirations. Following the lawsuit, the NCAA released a statement expressing their commitment to promote Title IX, invest in women’s sports, and ensure equitable competition in all NCAA championships.
Advocacy group Athlete Ally, which supports LGBTQ athletes, stands by the belief that transgender athletes should not only be accepted but celebrated in NCAA sports. They affirm that transgender competitors do not possess an inherent advantage and cite research and guidelines from various organizations in support of their position.
As this lawsuit unfolds, it raises important questions about the intersection between transgender rights and women’s sports, fueling debates over fairness and inclusivity.