In the Riverside, California area, the number of girls’ high school volleyball teams opting to forfeit games instead of playing against teams with trans players has increased to seven.
This situation arose after Julpa Valley High faced opposition from some of its own students. Several girls from the school initiated legal action against a state agency that permitted their school, district, and boys to compete on the girls’ volleyball team.
Recently, three additional schools joined four others in deciding not to compete against Yurpa Valley. These schools now include Riverside Poly High School, Rim of the World High School, Orange Vista High School, AB Miller High School, Aquinas High School, Yucaipa High School, and San Dimas High School.
On September 13, Yucaipa High School’s refusal to participate in a match resulted in Yurupa Valley being granted a victory by default.
A lawsuit was filed on September 9 by three girls—two Catholics and one Muslim—against the Yurupa Unified School District, the California Interscholastic Federation, and the California Department of Education. They claimed that their religious beliefs were compromised by allowing boys access to the girls’ locker room.
Two of the girls, Alyssa McPherson and Hadier Hazame, stated they left the team due to discomfort and religious concerns regarding a boy being present in the girls’ locker room.
The lawsuit argues, “The plaintiff was subjected to a hostile environment created by the defendants and pressured by school officials to suppress their objections to competing with boys and sharing private spaces with them.”
It further notes, “Their faith underscores humility, dignity, and the importance of maintaining gender distinctions, which should align with their biological gender in practice and identity.”
The school’s response indicated that California law, driven by the advocacy of transgender supporters, does not grant them the right to deny trans students participation.
The office of Governor Gavin Newsom stated that the schools and districts were adhering to existing laws, referencing legislation passed in 2013 under Governor Jerry Brown, which mandates compliance without exception.
