By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-21 22:21:36 | Updated at 2024-11-22 05:28:18
7 hours ago
A California school told students who wore t-shirts protesting trans athletes that they were akin to wearing Nazi swastika, a lawsuit claims.
Riverside Unified School District is being sued by two female Martin Luther King High cross-country runners and their parents over allegations their freedom of expression was infringed.
The girls, identified as ninth grader Kaitlyn and 11th grader Taylor, say they were rebuked over their shirts which bore the slogans, 'protect girls' sports' and 'It's Common Sense XX ≠ XY'.
The students decided to wear the shirts to a cross-country practice on November 1.
It came after a trans athlete was given Taylor's spot on the girl's varsity team despite allegedly not attending as many practices or putting in as much effort as Taylor, the filings state.
The student had recently transferred from another high school where she had broken its all-time record for girls' cross-country, according to the lawsuit.
Kaitlyn, 15, and Taylor, 16, allege they were told to remove the shirts by athletic director Amanda Chan as they created a 'hostile environment'.
'School officials claimed the messages on Plaintiff's shirts created the same level of hostility as a student wearing a swastika in front of a Jewish student', the lawsuit states.
A California school told students who wore t-shirts protesting trans athletes that they were akin to wearing Nazi swastika, a lawsuit claims
'It hurt me really bad, because I am not a hateful person,' Taylor told Fox News Digital. 'God calls us to love everyone and be kind to everyone so just hearing that made me feel like I was being hateful to that person.
'But I wasn't I was just standing up for women's sports and helping them get equality.'
'It was definitely hurtful. We are in no way trying to be hateful we're just wearing a shirt that expresses what we believe in and trying to raise awareness to a situation,' Kaitlyn added.
'It was not targeted to an individual at all, which the athletic director kept making it seem like it was.'
They also questioned why the school allows other political and religious messaging on campus, but took issue with the shirts which they claim other teammates supported them wearing.
The students state that their strong Christian convictions mean they believe, 'God created boys and girls with unique biological differences'.
'In Plaintiffs' experiences, many of their teammates agree with their views of human identity, sex and gender but are afraid to express these views because of the social consequences of expressing a view that differs from the view promoted by authority figures within the school community,' the filing states.
The lawsuit, 'seeks to affirm Plaintiffs' right to express their views, ensure fair athletic opportunities for female students and hold the District accountable for discriminatory practices', according to the document.
Riverside Unified School District is being sued by two female cross-country runners and their parents over allegations their freedom of expression was infringed when they were prevented from wearing these shirts
The Martin Luther King High school students were protesting a trans athlete who had taken one of their positions on the girls' varsity team
It claims that the school's actions violated the teen's First and Fourteenth Amendment rights, as well as Title IX protection which prohibits exclusion on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs.
Taylor and her father Ryan Starling say that she when she was ousted from the team she, 'missed opportunities to compete at a high-profile meet, losing valuable chances for college recruitment and recognition,' the lawsuit states.
'This case is about more than two young athletes; it’s a stand for free speech, fair play, and the fundamental right of girls to compete on a level playing field without being sidelined by ideologies that disregard biological differences,' Nicole Velasco, spokeswoman at Advocates for Faith and Freedom, said.
'It is important to remember that RUSD is bound to follow California law which requires that students be “permitted to participate in sex-segregated school programs and activities, including athletic teams and competitions consistent with his or her gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil’s records",' the school district said.
'While these rules were not created by RUSD, the District is committed to complying with the law and CIF regulations.
California state law prohibits discrimination of students based on gender, gender identity and gender expression, and specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender in physical education and athletics.
'The protections we provide to all students are not only aligned with the law but also with our core values which include equity and well-being.'
