E. Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
The Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into whether Title IX is being violated by California's AB 1266, a law that allows males to participate in female sports teams at state schools. Letters of legal notice have been sent to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Jurupa Unified School District, and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF).
This investigation aims to determine if there is a pattern or practice of sex-based discrimination by these entities. The Justice Department has also filed a statement of interest in federal court supporting a lawsuit brought on behalf of girls' athletes. This move aligns with national efforts by the President, the Attorney General, and the Justice Department to ensure equal athletic opportunities for women and girls.
Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, stated: “Title IX exists to protect women and girls in education. It is perverse to allow males to compete against girls, invade their private spaces, and take their trophies.” United States Attorney Bill Essayli added: “The law is clear: Discrimination on the basis of sex is illegal and immoral.”
The lawsuit Save Girls’ Sports, et al. v. Thurmond, et al., argues that AB 1266 conflicts with Title IX by unlawfully allowing males on female sports teams and using female spaces. This situation allegedly creates unfair environments for female students.
Plaintiffs include two high school athletes from Martin Luther King High School in Riverside: K.S., a ninth-grade cross-country athlete; and T.S., an 11th-grade team captain who was removed from her varsity position for a male athlete who did not meet eligibility requirements. The lawsuit claims this replacement deprived T.S. of significant competitive opportunities.
Additionally, it alleges that Riverside Unified School District officials violated constitutional rights by prohibiting protest t-shirts worn by T.S. and K.S.
The plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief regarding speech policies and participation rules in girls' sports.
Assistant United States Attorney Richard Park from the Civil Division’s Civil Rights Section is managing this case.
For more information about the Civil Rights Division or to report potential violations of federal civil rights laws, visit www.justice.gov/crt or call toll-free at (800) 253-3931.
