Concerns Raised Over Locker Room Policy in Michigan Volleyball
The parents of a high school volleyball player in Michigan are urging the Trump administration to step in after a transgender athlete accessed the same locker room and competed alongside their daughter. During a December news conference, Sean Lechner expressed his frustration, stating, “It’s simple: Women play women’s sports.”
Sean was joined by his daughter, Briley Lechner, who plays for Monroe High School’s volleyball team, along with local Republican officials. At the conference, he detailed a formal complaint he submitted to federal authorities.
The complaint highlighted that the Monroe High School volleyball players, including Briley, had to share their locker room with biological males and were compelled to change clothes in front of them. The specifics were that, according to the complaint, students were not informed that they’d have to share the facility with a transgender athlete, violating their comfort and privacy rights as outlined in Title IX.
The complaint was filed with the Department of Education on December 5, 2025, as well as the Michigan Department of Education and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA). The Michigan Department of Education acknowledged receipt and is currently evaluating the situation.
In his remarks, Sean pointed to Ann Arbor Skyline High School, alleging that they enrolled biological males in their girls’ volleyball team, posing risks to female athletes’ privacy and safety.
The Skyline women’s volleyball team advanced to the Michigan Division I quarterfinals with the transgender player in their lineup, who earned first-team all-conference honors.
The complaint documents student experiences, indicating they were unaware of the presence of a transgender athlete in their locker room. As claimed, “The presence of men in the women’s locker room was not revealed before the game, violating Title IX privacy protections.”
Notably, the Department of Education is currently investigating several schools nationally for Title IX violations related to transgender athletes, but none in Michigan are involved in these investigations. Sean hopes this situation changes with his complaint.
Laura Perry, a candidate for Michigan’s 31st Congressional District, criticized the waiver process allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports, calling it a direct conflict with federal law. She insisted on immediate action from the U.S. Department of Education.
“Women’s sports should be separated by biological sex. Federal executive orders are being ignored,” Perry emphasized.
Briley added that when she discovered a male in the same locker room, it caught everyone by surprise. “I was amazed at how talented these guys were. It made me wonder about my own abilities,” she reflected.
The MHSAA commented that they have been engaging in discussions with lawmakers about these issues. Their spokesperson said current conversations indicate that there are ongoing legal debates regarding transgender student eligibility and participation in sports.
Requests for comments from the Department of Education, Michigan Department of Education, and Monroe Public Schools went unanswered at the time of the report.
