The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of three Oregon high school girls who were denied fair and equal opportunity in track and field competitions—not because they weren’t strong enough or fast enough, but because they were forced to compete against males in events reserved for girls.
This case is a landmark federal challenge to a statewide policy that permits males to compete in K–12 girls’ sports based on nothing more than self-proclaimed gender identity. That policy, enforced by the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA), violates the plain language of Title IX and undermines decades of progress for female students and athletes.
What’s at Stake
Title IX guarantees equal opportunity for girls in education, including sports. It protects access, safety, and fairness. But in Oregon, those protections are gone—replaced by policy that allows males to participate in female-only events and displaces girls who have trained hard for a chance to compete and to win.
One of our clients dropped in state rankings. Another finished behind a male athlete in a girls-only sprint.
These are a direct result of state-enforced policy. And the message to female athletes is clear: Biology no longer matters, and fairness is optional.
AFPI’s Legal Action
AFPI’s Center for Litigation has filed suit against the Oregon Department of Education and OSAA for violating Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The complaint seeks to:
- Restore sex-based athletic protections for K–12 girls in Oregon
- Prevent state agencies from overriding federal civil rights law
- Establish clear judicial guidance for other states grappling with similar policies
This is a direct, fact-based application of existing federal law—and the courts have a duty to enforce it.
A Note on Free Speech
At the Oregon state track championship this year, two other girls were removed from the awards podium after declining to stand beside a male athlete who displaced a female competitor, a decision that raises serious First Amendment concerns. If Oregon officials believe they can punish students for refusing to affirm state-adopted ideology, they may face additional legal scrutiny—and consequences.
Why It Matters
When the law is clear but the government refuses to follow it, it’s up to citizens and the courts to restore balance. This case is about whether girls’ rights are real and equal, and whether Title IX still has meaning.
AFPI stands with every student-athlete who’s been sidelined, silenced, or told to accept unfairness as the new normal. This fight is far from over.
Call to Action
If you or someone you know has experienced discrimination in school sports or retaliation for defending fairness, contact the AFPI Center for Litigation.