AFPI SUES Oregon – Trans Wins SPARK Backlash

America First Policy Institute has filed a federal complaint challenging Oregon’s policy of allowing biological males to compete in female sports, citing unfair competition and emotional harm to female athletes.

At a Glance

• AFPI has filed a complaint with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights against Oregon’s education and athletic policies
• The complaint alleges violations of Title IX protections for female athletes when biological males compete in women’s sports
• Female athletes report losing medals, experiencing skewed rankings, and facing intimidation when expressing concerns
• Specific incidents include a biological male winning a female high jump event after previously placing last in male competition
• AFPI is urging immediate federal investigation, especially with state championships approaching

Federal Challenge to Oregon’s Transgender Athletic Policy

The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) has escalated concerns over Oregon’s transgender athlete policies by filing a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. The complaint targets both the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon School Activities Association, claiming their policies allowing biological males to compete in female sports directly violate Title IX protections designed to ensure fair athletic opportunities for women and girls. The legal challenge comes amid growing controversy over transgender participation in women’s sports nationwide.

“Every girl deserves a fair shot — on the field, on the podium, and in life,” said AFPI’s Executive General Counsel Jessica Hart Steinmann. “When state institutions knowingly force young women to compete against biological males, they’re violating federal law and sending a devastating message to female athletes across the country.” 

Documented Impact on Female Athletes

The complaint includes firsthand accounts from Oregon high school female athletes who report experiencing negative consequences from the current policies. These testimonies describe loss of medals, skewed competition rankings, and what AFPI describes as a “chilling effect” that discourages athletes from speaking out against the policies. According to the complaint, female competitors often feel intimidated and fear social or academic repercussions if they voice concerns about competing against biological males.

One specific incident highlighted in the complaint involved a biological male who had previously placed last when competing in the male high jump category but subsequently won first place after being permitted to compete in the female division. In another case, four female athletes chose to forfeit a competition rather than compete against a biological male competitor, demonstrating the difficult choices some athletes feel forced to make.

Urgent Call for Federal Intervention

AFPI representatives have emphasized the time-sensitive nature of their complaint, noting that Oregon’s State Track & Field championships were imminent at the time of filing. The organization claims that Oregon’s policies are creating a hostile educational environment for female athletes and violating federal law. The complaint references explicitly President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14201, which was designed to support fair competition in women’s sports.

“We’re demanding a federal investigation, and the pressure can’t come soon enough — State Track & Field championships begin tomorrow,” said Leigh Ann O’Neill, the nonprofit’s chief of staff, on social media.” 

Title IX Compliance Questions

At the heart of the complaint is the interpretation of Title IX, the landmark federal civil rights law passed in 1972 that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funding. AFPI contends that allowing biological males to compete against females undermines the very protections Title IX was designed to provide. The organization argues that biological differences between males and females, particularly after puberty, create inherent competitive advantages that can’t be eliminated through hormone therapy.

The complaint urges the Department of Education to thoroughly investigate Oregon’s K-12 athletics programs and ensure compliance with federal law. AFPI maintains that the current policies not only disadvantage female athletes in competition but also potentially deprive them of scholarships, recognition, and future opportunities that athletic success can provide. The Department of Education has not yet announced whether it will conduct the requested investigation.