West Virginia Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Reaction from Local Student

A young girl involved in a Supreme Court case in West Virginia—a case centered around allegations of sexual harassment by a transgender male athlete—has shared her thoughts following a recent ruling that upholds a state law limiting participation in sports based on biological sex.

Adalia Cross, who is about to enter the fourth grade, claims that Becky Pepper Jackson, a transgender man, made inappropriate remarks in the girls’ locker room when they were in seventh and eighth grade, respectively. Cross spoke about her experience to a media outlet, expressing her relief after the Supreme Court’s decision.

“I certainly feel relieved about everything,” she mentioned. “What I went through doesn’t change, but this ruling helps protect other girls, including my sister and friends still on the team.”

She also added, “Jesus Christ loves [the athlete], and there is a place for [the athlete] if they want to be there.”

Cross’ mother had previously stated that the athlete allegedly made crude comments to the girls, further heightening the concern around the locker room dynamics.

Adalia noted that since Pepper Jackson began using the girls’ facilities, the atmosphere in the locker room drastically shifted, with girls opting to change in stalls rather than out in the open. “I know other teams started canceling their participation in track and field events so our athletes didn’t have to hold back,” she expressed, reflecting on the situation with sadness. “Girls should have that space, but it’s been taken away.”

Meanwhile, the ACLU has refuted the harassment claims, asserting that their client denied these allegations and that school investigations found them unfounded. They emphasized their commitment to upholding students’ rights under Title IX.

In response, the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), representing the Cross family, underscored that Adalia has consistently sworn under oath about her experiences, stating that the incident led her to quit the sport she loves for her own protection.

The family has criticized the school for failing to hold Pepper Jackson accountable. They’ve sought documentation about the investigation but reported receiving minimal responses from both the ACLU and the school district.

Despite emerging victorious in her case, Cross shared that fighting for women’s sports has come at a personal cost, particularly in terms of friendships. “The hardest part was losing a friend I had known for years,” she reflected. “As we’ve all grown up, some have drifted away.”

She mentioned that while most high schools have been supportive, there’s still a vocal group against her. “It can feel like an uneven split, but it’s tough,” she said.

Cross also described a recent moment when she saw Pepper Jackson win a state championship in shot put just before the law was upheld, calling it “humbling” for both her and her friends who felt their opportunities were compromised.

With her final year of high school approaching, she mentioned she doesn’t plan on participating in sports due to the time away from the activities. Adalia, who first raised her voice on this issue at 14, credits her Christian faith for giving her the courage to advocate for women’s rights. “I told God I would do this if He made it clear to me, and He did,” she recounted, mentioning that a Bible verse resonated with her in that moment. “Perhaps you were created for a time like this.”