Teen girls sue Oregon over transgender athletes in women's sports: A fight for fairness

By avagrace // 2025-07-14

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Three female athletes in Oregon filed a federal lawsuit challenging state policies allowing transgender athletes (biological males) to compete in girls' sports, arguing it violates Title IX and undermines fairness for women.
The case centers on whether Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination, was intended to ensure biological fairness in women's sports. Critics claim Oregon's policies create an uneven playing field.
The plaintiffs — Maddie Eischen, Sophia Carpenter and an anonymous runner (S.C.) — say they faced lost opportunities, harassment or withdrew from competitions to avoid racing against transgender athletes, citing unfair advantages.
The lawsuit mirrors broader conflicts, like the Lia Thomas vs. Riley Gaines case, and aligns with 27 states banning transgender athletes from girls' sports. The U.S. Supreme Court may soon rule on similar cases.
Oregon risks losing federal funding if the courts side with the plaintiffs. The outcome could redefine fairness in women's sports, balancing inclusion against biological competition standards.

Three teenage athletes in Oregon have taken a bold stand against state policies allowing biological males to compete in girls' sports. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, challenges what the plaintiffs call an unfair advantage that undermines decades of progress for female athletes. The case, backed by the conservative America First Policy Institute (AFPI), argues that Oregon's rules violate Title IX, the landmark 1972 law designed to protect women's opportunities in education and athletics. The controversy erupted in April when two of the plaintiffs, Maddie Eischen and Sophia Carpenter, refused to compete in a high school track meet against a transgender-identifying male athlete. A third plaintiff, identified only as S.C., claims she lost championship races to a biological male, costing her recognition and potential scholarships. The lawsuit seeks to overturn records set by transgender athletes and ban them from future girls' competitions. (Related: House passes bill banning transgender athletes from women's sports.)

The legal battle over Title IX

At the core of the lawsuit is Title IX, a federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in schools. The plaintiffs argue that allowing males to compete in female sports violates the law’s original intent — ensuring fairness for women. AFPI's legal team asserts that Oregon's policies, enforced by the state's Department of Education and the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA), have created an uneven playing field. The case mirrors national debates, including the high-profile dispute between former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines and transgender athlete Lia Thomas. Gaines, who has publicly supported the Oregon teens, was forced to compete against Thomas, a biological male who dominated women's swimming before being stripped of titles. The lawsuit highlights how such scenarios discourage female athletes and erode trust in competitive fairness.

The personal toll on female athletes

For the plaintiffs, the issue is deeply personal. Eischen, now a high school graduate, withdrew from a girls' high jump event to avoid competing against a male athlete. "We work too hard for our achievements to be erased like this," she said through counsel. "I don't hate trans athletes. I just want fairness." Meanwhile, S.C. alleges that after losing to a transgender runner in state championships, she faced harassment and even considered leaving the country for safety. Another plaintiff, Sophia Carpenter, said she was inspired to act after seeing the public divide between Olympic gymnast Simone Biles — who supports transgender inclusion — and critics like Gaines. Ironically, Biles once acknowledged that if men competed against women in gymnastics, they would "take all the gold medals."

Oregon's controversial policies

Oregon's education officials have doubled down on their stance, requiring schools to let students join teams matching their gender identity. Governor Tina Kotek, a named defendant, has defended the policy as inclusive. But critics argue it disregards biological realities. The lawsuit also targets local school districts, including Portland Public Schools, where transgender athletes have competed in girls' track. The legal challenge follows a 2024 executive order by President Donald Trump, threatening to cut federal funding for states allowing transgender participation in women's sports. Oregon, which received $1.8 billion in federal education funds last year, risks losing support if the courts side with the plaintiffs.

A national reckoning on women's sports

The Oregon case arrives as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear challenges to similar laws in West Virginia and Idaho. Lower courts previously struck down those bans, citing the 2020 Bostock decision, which linked gender identity to sex discrimination under civil rights law. However, critics argue Title IX was never meant to override biological distinctions in sports. Meanwhile, 27 states have banned transgender athletes from girls' teams, reflecting a growing political divide. Congressional Republicans recently failed to pass a national ban, leaving the issue to state and judicial battles.

A defining moment for fairness

The Oregon lawsuit represents more than a local dispute — it's a microcosm of a national struggle over the future of women's sports. The plaintiffs aren't just fighting for trophies or scholarships; they’re fighting for the principle that biology, not identity, should dictate competition. As courts weigh in, their decision could reshape athletics for generations. For now, these three girls stand at the forefront of a movement demanding answers: Should Title IX protect women's opportunities or must they surrender them in the name of inclusion? The answer will determine whether girls' sports remain a fair fight — or fade into irrelevance. Watch as President Trump bans men from women's sports. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth on Brighteon.com.

CITIZENS NEWS

The legal battle over Title IX

The personal toll on female athletes

Oregon's controversial policies

A national reckoning on women's sports

A defining moment for fairness

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