California schools face federal pressure over transgender athletes in sports
The Department of Justice is taking a firm stance on transgender athletes competing in girls’ sports in California. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon has demanded that public high schools in the state confirm by June 9 that they do not allow transgender athletes to participate in girls’ sports. This move comes as part of a federal inquiry into the state’s compliance with Title IX, a landmark civil rights law designed to prevent sex discrimination in schools.
Dhillon’s letter, obtained by Fox News Digital, warns public school districts that knowingly depriving female students of athletic opportunities based on their sex would constitute unconstitutional sex discrimination under the Equal Protection Clause. The California Interscholastic Federation, which governs high school sports in the state, has a bylaw that requires its members to recognize gender identity in sports, allowing all students to participate in a manner consistent with their gender identity.
The DOJ’s demand for written certifications from public school districts is aimed at ensuring compliance with Title IX and helping schools avoid legal liability. However, this puts public school districts at odds with the California Interscholastic Federation, which mandates compliance with its gender identity rules for participation in state sports competitions.
This latest development follows an announcement by Dhillon and the U.S. attorney for the Central District of California that they were investigating the California Interscholastic Federation and other public entities over potential conflicts with the Trump administration’s interpretation of Title IX. When former President Donald Trump took office, he ordered federal agencies to enforce Title IX in a manner that excluded gender identity, overturning efforts by the Biden administration to reinterpret the statute.
Trump’s aggressive enforcement of his first term’s rules on Title IX has led to federal inquiries and legal action against states resistant to the administration’s efforts. In addition to targeting California, the DOJ has sued Maine over Title IX compliance, citing a transgender athlete who won a girls’ pole-vaulting competition. Maine Governor Janet Mills has downplayed the issue, stating that there are only a few transgender athletes in her state.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has shown support for Trump’s position on transgender athletes in girls’ sports, even endorsing a pilot initiative by the California Interscholastic Federation to allow displaced female track and field athletes to compete in upcoming championships. The debate over transgender athletes in girls’ sports continues to be a contentious issue at both the state and federal levels.
