Transgender Athlete Controversy in West Virginia
In West Virginia, a high school student named Adalia Cross and her family have shared their story regarding their interactions with a transgender athlete involved in a lawsuit with the U.S. Supreme Court. The case addresses whether the transgender athlete, who is biologically male, can compete on girls’ sports teams in the state’s middle and high schools.
This athlete is represented by the ACLU, and over 130 Congressional Democrats have signed a brief supporting her, which the Supreme Court will soon review.
Due to her status as a minor, the name of the transgender athlete is not disclosed. Adalia Cross, who previously ran track at Bridgeport Middle School, accuses the athlete of making inappropriate remarks in the girls’ locker room.
As a sophomore, Adalia decided to leave the track team to avoid locker room encounters with the transgender athlete, who is a year younger. Her mother, Abby, reported to Fox News Digital that Adalia recounted explicit comments made by the athlete while they were in the locker room together during the 2022-2023 school year.
“When she first told us, it was shocking,” Abby Cross explained. “There were inappropriate comments, and Adalia felt uncomfortable.” After hearing about these allegations, the mother contacted the school.
The ACLU responded by asserting the allegations were unfounded, insisting on the importance of a safe and inclusive environment for all students under Title IX.
An attorney representing the Cross family from the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) stated that Adalia had sworn under oath about her experiences with the transgender athlete and emphasized the significant impact the situation has had on her. “She had to completely walk away from the sport she loved,” the attorney said.
The Cross family claims their reports of harassment were not adequately addressed by the school. Adalia expressed frustration over the lack of communication regarding the investigation, stating, “It felt as if nothing had been resolved.”
Meanwhile, another student, Emmy Salerno, shared her own experience of feeling intimidated by a transgender athlete, claiming that tension escalated after she refused to compete against the athlete in a shot put event during the spring of 2024.
Salerno noted a noticeable change in behavior from the athlete following their disagreement and mentioned a troubling incident at a basketball game where she felt threatened. “I was really trying to avoid confrontation,” she confessed.
The ACLU has not yet responded to these allegations or Salerno’s claims. For her part, she refrained from speaking out publicly about her discomfort during the next season but conveyed her wish to avoid competing against transgender athletes.
On the topic of sexual harassment, Adalia reflected on her difficulties in processing her feelings, initially brushing off the seriousness of the incidents. “I felt like I couldn’t talk about it because it was supposed to be normal,” she said, but over time, the reality hit her. “I thought, ‘Oh my god, this isn’t good,’” she shared, expressing her ongoing anger about the situation.
Impact on Participation in Sports
Adalia’s athletic career changed dramatically following the events. Once a top contender in the shot put and discus events, her standing diminished as the transgender athlete gained recognition in the sport. “It felt like I was losing everything so fast,” she recalled.
Adalia ultimately quit sports in junior high, returning only briefly in her freshman year before opting out again as the transgender athlete began attending high school. Now a senior, she hasn’t participated in high school sports for over two years, expressing feelings of being out of place and longing for the camaraderie of team sports.
Her father, Holden Cross, described the situation as “upsetting,” noting the major role team sports play in children’s development. Adalia has even withdrawn from her school’s drama group due to the presence of a transgender athlete, leading her to feel isolated and lose friends.
Legal Context
The legal battle began when the transgender athlete filed a lawsuit at age 11, successfully blocking a state law that prevented biological males from participating in women’s sports. This ruling allowed for the inclusion of transgender athletes in the same teams and locker rooms as their cisgender peers in Bridgeport.
A federal appeals court recently upheld this decision, affirming that the law could not apply to middle school transgender girls who take puberty blockers. The Supreme Court, however, plans to revisit the case with oral arguments set for January.
A coalition of Democratic Congress members, including notable figures, have rallied in support of transgender athletes, underscoring the significant political involvement in this ongoing debate.
