The families of three female high school runners filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday seeking to block transgender athletes in Connecticut from participating in girls sports.
Selina Soule, a senior at Glastonbury High School, Chelsea Mitchell, a senior at Canton High School, and Alanna Smith, a sophomore at Danbury High School are represented by the conservative nonprofit organization Alliance Defending Freedom.
They argue that allowing boys who identify as female to compete has deprived them of track titles and scholarship opportunities.
“Mentally and physically, we know the outcome before the race even starts,” said Smith, who is the daughter of former Major League Baseball pitcher Lee Smith. “That biological unfairness doesn’t go away because of what someone believes about gender identity. All girls deserve the chance to compete on a level playing field.”
The lawsuit was filed against the Connecticut Association of Schools-Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference and the boards of education in Bloomfield, Cromwell, Glastonbury, Canton and Danbury.
Bernie Sanders demands Democrats ban super PACs from primaries, blasts AIPAC, ‘corrupt system’
Trump doubles down on reflecting pool vandalism allegations, cites new witness account
Teen burglary ring linked to nearly 80 Bay Area break-ins dismantled after months-long investigation: PD
Indian national accused of Arizona girlfriend’s murder entered US on student visa: federal sources
Spencer Pratt: Communists aren’t just ‘evil’ they’re ’embarrassingly cringe’
AOC freezes her eggs: ‘I think it’s bada**’
RNC chair says Talarico’s GOP crossover hopes are a ‘pipe dream’: ‘Nobody is going to follow him’
‘Outsider’ House primary winner sets sights on flipping longtime GOP seat back from Dems: ‘Ready for a change’
Max Miller locked in as Republican nominee after Ohio ballot deadline passes without withdrawal
Vice President Vance says migrant communities show ‘clear pattern’ in federal fraud as investigations widen
Massachusetts Governor Signs New Law Blocking ICE Access to Several Locations
DSA Governor Candidate Hires OnlyFans Model as Deputy Campaign Manager
Tennessee Candidate Arrested After Allegedly Shooting Down Flock Cameras
University of Michigan Goes Full Participation Trophy, Will Hide Grades for Student ‘Mental Health’
Florida man accused of killing nurse mom who helped him despite repeated arrests for threatening her: sheriff
“Forcing girls to be spectators in their own sports is completely at odds with Title IX, a federal law designed to create equal opportunities for women in education and athletics,” attorney Christiana Holcomb said. “Connecticut’s policy violates that law and reverses nearly 50 years of advances for women.”
The Connecticut Association of Schools-Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference says its policy follows a state anti-discrimination law requiring that students be treated by the gender with which they identify. The group says the policy is “appropriate under both state and federal law.”
The lawsuit follows a Title IX complaint filed last June by the girls’ families and the Alliance Defending Freedom with the U.S. Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights, which is investigating the policy.
The lawsuit centers on two transgender sprinters, Terry Miller and Andraya Yearwood, who have frequently outperformed their female competitors.
Bernie Sanders demands Democrats ban super PACs from primaries, blasts AIPAC, ‘corrupt system’
Trump doubles down on reflecting pool vandalism allegations, cites new witness account
Teen burglary ring linked to nearly 80 Bay Area break-ins dismantled after months-long investigation: PD
Indian national accused of Arizona girlfriend’s murder entered US on student visa: federal sources
Spencer Pratt: Communists aren’t just ‘evil’ they’re ’embarrassingly cringe’
AOC freezes her eggs: ‘I think it’s bada**’
RNC chair says Talarico’s GOP crossover hopes are a ‘pipe dream’: ‘Nobody is going to follow him’
‘Outsider’ House primary winner sets sights on flipping longtime GOP seat back from Dems: ‘Ready for a change’
Max Miller locked in as Republican nominee after Ohio ballot deadline passes without withdrawal
Vice President Vance says migrant communities show ‘clear pattern’ in federal fraud as investigations widen
Massachusetts Governor Signs New Law Blocking ICE Access to Several Locations
DSA Governor Candidate Hires OnlyFans Model as Deputy Campaign Manager
Tennessee Candidate Arrested After Allegedly Shooting Down Flock Cameras
University of Michigan Goes Full Participation Trophy, Will Hide Grades for Student ‘Mental Health’
Florida man accused of killing nurse mom who helped him despite repeated arrests for threatening her: sheriff
The two seniors have combined to win 15 girls state indoor or outdoor championship races since 2017, according to the lawsuit.
The three plaintiffs have competed directly against them, almost always losing to Miller and usually behind Yearwood. Mitchell finished third in the 2019 state championship in the girls 55-meter indoor track competition behind Miller and Yearwood.
“Our dream is not to come in second or third place, but to win fair and square,” Mitchell said. “All we’re asking for is a fair chance.”
Yearwood, of Cromwell High School, and Miller, of Bloomfield High School, have both defended their participation in girls events.
Yearwood told The Associated Press in February 2019 that there are many differences among athletes that may give one a physical advantage
over another, and claimed he doesn’t have an unfair advantage.
“One high jumper could be taller and have longer legs than another, but the other could have perfect form, and then do better,” he said. “One sprinter could have parents who spend so much money on personal training for their child, which in turn, would cause that child to run faster.”
Yearwood’s mother said the athlete had no immediate comment on Wednesday’s lawsuit. Miller did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Bernie Sanders demands Democrats ban super PACs from primaries, blasts AIPAC, ‘corrupt system’
Trump doubles down on reflecting pool vandalism allegations, cites new witness account
Teen burglary ring linked to nearly 80 Bay Area break-ins dismantled after months-long investigation: PD
Indian national accused of Arizona girlfriend’s murder entered US on student visa: federal sources
Spencer Pratt: Communists aren’t just ‘evil’ they’re ’embarrassingly cringe’
AOC freezes her eggs: ‘I think it’s bada**’
RNC chair says Talarico’s GOP crossover hopes are a ‘pipe dream’: ‘Nobody is going to follow him’
‘Outsider’ House primary winner sets sights on flipping longtime GOP seat back from Dems: ‘Ready for a change’
Max Miller locked in as Republican nominee after Ohio ballot deadline passes without withdrawal
Vice President Vance says migrant communities show ‘clear pattern’ in federal fraud as investigations widen
Massachusetts Governor Signs New Law Blocking ICE Access to Several Locations
DSA Governor Candidate Hires OnlyFans Model as Deputy Campaign Manager
Tennessee Candidate Arrested After Allegedly Shooting Down Flock Cameras
University of Michigan Goes Full Participation Trophy, Will Hide Grades for Student ‘Mental Health’
Florida man accused of killing nurse mom who helped him despite repeated arrests for threatening her: sheriff
The attorneys are asking the court to prevent the transgender girls from competing while the lawsuit moves forward. No hearing date on that request had been scheduled Wednesday, the day before the state’s indoor track championships begin.
Connecticut is one of 17 states that allowed transgender high school athletes to compete without restrictions in 2019, according to Transathlete.com, which tracks state policies in high school sports across the country.
Eight states had restrictions that make it difficult for transgender athletes to compete while in school, such as requiring athletes to compete under the gender on their birth certificate or allowing them to participate only after going through sex reassignment procedures or hormone therapies, according to Transathlete.
Yearwood and Miller have said they are still in the process of transitioning but have declined to provide details.
Story cited here.
