Young Women in California File Lawsuit Over Transgender Athlete Inclusion
Three young women from Southern California are suing the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), the California Department of Education (CDE), and the Jurupa Unified School District (JUSD). Their lawsuit centers on the participation of biological male transgender athletes in the girls’ volleyball team at Jurupa Valley High School.
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the lawsuit claims that the plaintiffs experience sexism, sexual harassment, and an unfair athletic environment, among other grievances. The plaintiffs include Alyssa McPherson, Hadiel Hashame, and Madison McPherson, who has since left the team alongside her sister Alyssa in protest over the inclusion of trans athletes.
According to the lawsuit, both Hazame and Alyssa McPherson were removed from the team group chat after expressing discomfort. Allegations also state that the school’s practices breached the girls’ religious freedom.
The lawsuit highlights a hostile environment created by the defendants and claims it censors the plaintiffs’ opposition to competing with male students. The McPherson family, identifying as practicing Catholics, argues for the traditional view of gender as an unchangeable aspect of humanity.
Conversely, the Hazame family bases their beliefs on Islamic principles, which prevent them from exposing their bodies to men, emphasizing the importance of gender distinctions in accordance with their faith.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, alleging that the presence of trans athlete Ab Hernandez has impacted the girls’ athletic opportunities, with multiple teams opting out of competitions against Jurupa Valley due to the controversy surrounding Hernandez’s participation.
This season has been particularly contentious for Hernandez, especially following their previous successes in state championships. Protests erupted during postseason events, with some competitors and families advocating for the preservation of women’s sports.
California’s CIF had previously amended its policies to permit trans athletes to compete, even amid significant public backlash. Further complicating matters, the Department of Justice recently initiated legal action against the CDE and CIF over policies that allow biological men in women’s competitions.
Fox News Digital has reached out for comments from CDE, CIF, and JUSD regarding the lawsuits filed by the McPhersons and Hazamehs but has yet to receive a reply. The district had previously suggested that state lawmakers should be held accountable for the ongoing disputes related to Hernandez.
The situation highlights broader tensions within California, with a survey indicating that many residents, including over 70% of parents with school-aged children, disapprove of biological males competing in women’s sports. The data suggests that a significant portion of the population supports requiring trans athletes to compete according to their birth-assigned gender.
