Three Female Athletes File Federal Lawsuit Over Transgender Inclusion in California Girls' Volleyball

Three young women in Southern California have filed a federal lawsuit against the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), the California Department of Education (CDE), and the Jurupa Unified School District (JUSD). The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleges sex discrimination, sexual harassment, unsafe athletic environments, and infringements on religious liberty due to the inclusion of a biological male transgender athlete on the Jurupa Valley High School girls' volleyball team.

The plaintiffs, identified as current players Alyssa McPherson and Hadeel Hazameh, and former player Madison McPherson (Alyssa's older sister), along with their families, claim they have suffered direct harm. The lawsuit specifically alleges that the plaintiffs were subjected to an "intentionally hostile environment" and that school officials dismissed their concerns. Hazameh and Alyssa McPherson recently withdrew from the team in protest of the transgender athlete's participation.

The lawsuit does not name the transgender athlete directly but refers to A.B. Hernandez, a senior at Jurupa Valley High School. Hernandez gained prominence after winning multiple medals in the state track and field championships last spring, which sparked national debate and led to President Donald Trump threatening to withhold federal funding from California. The controversy has extended to volleyball, with at least six schools reportedly forfeiting matches against Jurupa Valley this season rather than playing against a team that includes Hernandez.

The legal action also highlights religious objections, with the McPherson family, who are practicing Catholics, and Hazameh and her family, who are practicing Muslims, asserting that the school's policies violate their religious beliefs regarding gender and modesty. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages and an injunction to prevent any male student from participating in female sports within the Jurupa Unified School District.

The case unfolds amidst a broader national discussion on transgender athletes' inclusion in sports and existing California law, which permits transgender females to participate in sports aligning with their gender identity. The Jurupa Unified School District has previously stated its commitment to upholding state law, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity. This lawsuit adds to ongoing legal challenges, including a previous Department of Justice lawsuit against the CDE and CIF regarding their policies.