Transgender Runner Sues Princeton University
Sadie Schreiner, a transgender athlete, has filed a lawsuit against Princeton University for allegedly barring her from participating in a women’s race on May 3. The action arose just moments before the event, where Schreiner was among 141 competitors to be excluded.
According to the lawsuit, Schreiner was informed only 15 minutes before the race that she could not compete. A Princeton official reportedly said to her, “I don’t want to assume that, but you’re transgender.” This statement, as outlined in the complaint, seems to underscore the reason for her exclusion.
The lawsuit claims that the actions of the Princeton officials disregarded Schreiner’s rights as a transgender woman, leading to both emotional and physical distress. It accuses the university of violating New Jersey laws that protect individuals based on gender identity or expression.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Princeton for comment.
Previously, Schreiner was a participant on the Rochester Institute of Technology’s women’s track team, where she excelled against female opponents, even sharing her experiences on social media as a transgender competitor. However, this changed after President Donald Trump signed an executive order aiming to limit transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports. Following this, Schreiner was deemed ineligible for RIT.
RIT had stated, “We are following the Trump administration’s executive order, and we comply with the NCAA participation policy for transgender athletes. Sadly, Sadie won’t be able to compete in the next tournament.” After this setback, Schreiner went on to compete at the US Athletics Masters Championship, securing first place in both the 400-meter and 200-meter races.
She won the 400-meter dash by default, as competitors were listed as DNS (did not start). In the 200-meter race, she outpaced a 14-year-old runner and other participants, further establishing her capabilities.
Moreover, in late January, Schreiner celebrated victories over female competitors, expressing mixed feelings about her performance on social media. She noted challenges during her races but remained optimistic about the upcoming season, sharing her ambition to excel at the Nationals.
As the controversy around her participation continues, Schreiner has become a focal point in discussions surrounding the rights of transgender athletes. In a recent post, she expressed concerns about the limitations faced by transgender individuals, noting that prohibitive state laws complicate their pursuit of collegiate athletics.
Schreiner’s ongoing challenges reflect broader debates within the sports community regarding inclusion and equality, as she navigates her identity and athletic aspirations amidst shifting policies.
