Recent reports indicate that two high school female athletes have accused a transgender student central to a Supreme Court case regarding trans participation in women’s sports of severe sexual harassment and intimidation.
Adelia Cross, a student at Bridgeport High School in West Virginia, claims that a transgender athlete, assigned male at birth, made inappropriate comments in the girls’ locker room, which she described as sexual harassment. This behavior led Cross to leave the track team when the trans student entered high school, stemming from unsettling remarks made during the 2022-2023 academic year at Bridgeport Middle School, when Cross was in eighth grade and the transgender student was in seventh.
Adelia’s mother, Abby Cross, recounted, “When Adelia first told us about it, she said the trans athlete approached her and made vulgar threats.” Cross claimed the student said things like, “I’m going to stick my dk in your py and your a- too,” during various interactions.
In 2021, a transgender student filed a lawsuit that successfully challenged a West Virginia law preventing biological males from participating in women’s sports, beginning her advocacy at just 11 years old. Identifying as a female since third grade, she is represented by the ACLU, which has received backing from over 130 Democratic lawmakers in support of trans athletes in front of the Supreme Court.
The ACLU has refuted the allegations from the Cross family, asserting that school officials deemed their claims “unsubstantiated.” The organization stated, “We remain devoted to safeguarding the rights of all students under Title IX, including ensuring a safe and inclusive learning atmosphere free from harassment and discrimination.”
Another athlete, Emmy Salerno, a runner from Lincoln Middle School, also reported intimidation from the same student when she declined to participate in a spring 2024 competition. The girls’ team was disqualified after Salerno and four others refused to compete against a trans student in the women’s shot put event.
Salerno described a shift in the student’s demeanor, saying, “As soon as we left the house, his personality changed—he just wanted to look at me and avoid conversation.” The transgender student allegedly shared a photo of Salerno on Snapchat with a caption insinuating she had more testosterone.
Salerno expressed her concern for her safety, mentioning, “I’ve been trying to avoid him everywhere I go.”
The ACLU has not addressed Salerno’s statements.
The Court of Appeals upheld the decision against the West Virginia law in April 2024. However, in July, the Supreme Court agreed to revisit the case, with oral arguments scheduled for January 13.
