A transgender runner, Sadishreiner, is taking legal action against Princeton University, claiming that the institution excluded athletes from a girls’ race held on May 3.
According to the lawsuit, Schreiner aimed to compete in a women’s 200-meter sprint at the Larry Ellis Invitational, which included 141 participants not affiliated with any college or club. However, officials reportedly informed Schreiner that she couldn’t compete just 15 minutes before the race commenced.
Princeton officials allegedly stated, “I don’t want to assume that, but you’re transgender,” based on the complaint details.
The lawsuit asserts that the behavior of two Princeton officials disregarded Schreiner’s rights as a transgender woman, violating New Jersey laws and resulting in anticipated emotional and physical distress for her.
Schreiner argues that the university breached New Jersey’s anti-discrimination laws, which protect “gender identity or expression.”
Princeton University has been contacted for comment.
Previously, Schreiner was a member of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) women’s track and field team, where she outperformed her female rivals, sharing her successes on social media as a transgender athlete.
However, after President Trump enacted an executive order aimed at restricting transgender women from competing in women’s sports on February 5, and following NCAA revisions to eligibility guidelines on February 6, Schreiner was deemed ineligible to race for RIT.
In a statement, RIT confirmed compliance with the Trump administration’s directive and the NCAA’s participation regulations, stating that Schreiner wouldn’t compete in the upcoming tournament.
On March 1, Schreiner successfully participated in the US Athletics Masters Championship, securing first place in both the women’s 400-meter and 200-meter events.
Interestingly, she won the 400-meter by default, as other competitors had no recorded times.
In the 200-meter dash, Schreiner triumphed over younger competitors, including a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old, despite multiple participants being marked as did not start (DNS).
Despite her recent successes, weeks later, Schreiner posted an Instagram video indicating that the USATF’s changes to its transgender eligibility policy might mean her participation in organized competitions was nearing its end. She expressed concerns that the new rules could prevent her from racing against women.
Schreiner, recently a polarizing figure in women’s athletics, previously shone at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Athletics Championships and also set a record at the Liberty League Championship, finishing significantly faster than her potential competition among male athletes.
In late January, after winning a race against a female opponent, she shared her thoughts on social media, noting that her performance wasn’t quite what she hoped for but remained optimistic about the upcoming season.
Schreiner attained remarkable results in multiple events at RIT meets, garnering automatic qualification for the Atlantic Regional Athletics Championship.
Schreiner has voiced her opposition to state and university policies that deny full scholarships to transgender athletes, referencing the impact of numerous laws that restrict trans individuals in sports.
“Of all the hurdles, there’s an extra layer and 50% of the country banned me from competing,” she remarked. “Even if coaches support me, university administrators can still prevent my participation.”
