Oregon Faces Second Lawsuit Over Transgender Athletes

Oregon is now dealing with a second lawsuit within a month regarding the participation of transgender athletes assigned male at birth in girls’ high school sports.

Two female athletic competitors, Alexa Anderson and Reese Eckard, filed a lawsuit against the Oregon School Athletics Association (OSAA). This came after they declined to stand on the medal podium alongside transgender athletes at a state title competition on May 31.

Footage from that event went viral, with Anderson mentioning that officials had asked for them to avoid being in the background of podium photos. Their lawsuit claims that the OSAA not only excluded them from official photos but also withheld their medals. They argue that this situation violated their rights under the First Amendment.

“I recently competed against a biological male at a state athletic competition, and my friend and I decided to step down from the podium in protest due to this unfair competitive environment,” Anderson shared. “I want to ensure that female sports are preserved for biological females and hope to protect future generations of female athletes so they can compete in a safe and fair environment.”

Fox News reached out to the OSAA for their comments on this matter.

The girls are backed by the American First Policy Institute (AFPI). Jessica Hart Steinman, an executive advisor at AFPI, stated, “These young women deserve to celebrate their achievements and voice their concerns. Instead of honoring their view that girls’ sports should only be for girls, Oregon officials stood by. The First Amendment guarantees the right to dissent. Students shouldn’t be penalized for their beliefs.”

Moreover, AFPI is also representing Oregon track athletes Maddie Aishen and Sofia Carpenter in a separate lawsuit against the Oregon Department of Education for allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports.

Aishen and Carpenter mentioned that they withdrew from a competition featuring transgender athletes on April 18. The lawsuit highlights the emotional toll this experience had on Carpenter, who felt overwhelmed, unsupported, and betrayed by the very organizations meant to ensure fair play.

Both Aishen and Carpenter have described their experiences as “traumatic.” Aishen noted the emotional weight of the situation, saying, “I never imagined I would have to do this.” Carpenter reflected on the inner turmoil she faced during the competition, stating she returned home in tears due to the emotionally charged experience. They’ve both expressed concerns about potential backlash from filing their lawsuit but are standing firm in their convictions as the legal battle unfolds.