Lawsuit Filed by Transgender Athlete Over Scholarship Revocation

A biological male athlete has initiated legal proceedings against a university and two student athletic organizations after they allegedly revoked a women’s volleyball scholarship. The complaint was submitted on August 8, backed by the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF), representing 33-year-old Emma Morquecho. The lawsuit challenges decisions made by the California Pacific Conference (CAL PAC) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA).

According to a statement from MALDEF, “Westcliffe University, CAL PAC, and NAIA adopted a new policy that denied eligibility and canceled a scholarship meant for Morquecho solely because she is a transgender woman.”

Originally, Westcliff had offered Morquecho a volleyball scholarship for the 2023-2024 academic year, after informing her about the scholarship once she disclosed her transgender status. Following her relocation to California and completion of necessary exams, she learned that CAL PAC would determine her eligibility.

The Westcliff volleyball coach informed Morquecho in August 2023 that she was ineligible to play that fall, exacerbating her distress, as per the MALDEF statement. Morquecho’s lawyer noted that she has been struggling with “emotional pain and anxiety” resulting from this decision, which has affected her ability to finance her master’s program.

The lawsuit claims that the actions taken by the organizations breach Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits sex discrimination in educational institutions receiving federal funds. All three defendants fall under this mandate.

Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that the defendants violated California’s civil rights law, which forbids gender discrimination, alongside infraction of California’s government code by Westcliffe University.

In her statement, Morquecho expressed her intent to advocate for others, stating, “By standing up, I’m not just fighting for myself. I’m speaking for all the trans people who are silent. I hope my voice empowers others in our community to know their stories and their rights.” She emphasized the need for a future where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

This legal action comes in the wake of President Donald Trump’s executive order issued in February, aimed at keeping men out of women’s sports, framing the participation of biological males in women’s sports as unfair and detrimental to opportunities for women and girls.

The lawsuit also arises amidst scrutiny of other cases, such as that of Ab Hernandez, a biological male athlete involved in women’s track and field events in California during May 2025.