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A lawsuit initiated by two high school cross-country runners in California has made significant progress as it partially survives motions to dismiss. The case arises from allegations involving a transgender athlete’s participation affecting the girls’ varsity team.
Taylor Starling and Kaitlyn Slavin, both students at Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, filed the lawsuit in November 2024. They claim that the inclusion of a transgender athlete resulted in Starling losing her varsity position, and they faced backlash for donning shirts reading “Save Girls Sports” in protest. According to their allegations, school administrators compared the shirts to “swastikas,” igniting further controversy.
The defendants in this case include the Riverside Unified School District, as well as California Attorney General Rob Bonta and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. However, in a recent ruling, both Bonta and Thurmond were dismissed from the charges.
U.S. District Judge Sunshine Sykes, appointed by former President Joe Biden, ruled in favor of the plaintiffs regarding their Title IX claim based on intentional discrimination. Conversely, Sykes agreed with the school district’s argument that the plaintiffs did not sufficiently establish claims for other Title IX violations.
Although Sykes upheld the right of the plaintiffs to seek monetary damages, she denied their request for an injunction to remove the transgender athlete from the team, given that this individual had already graduated.
The families of Starling and Slavin, along with their attorney from Advocates for Faith & Freedom, view this ruling as a positive development. Kaitlyn Slavin’s father, Dan Slavin, expressed optimism, stating that while there’s still a long way to go, this constitutes a significant stride in the right direction.
Ryan Starling, Taylor’s father, noted that the lawsuit has fostered unity among their families and built connections with others facing similar issues. He commented that the situation has created bonds, saying it has united various families in their community.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, both Starling and Slavin have continued their education at Martin Luther King High School. Dan Slavin reflected on the experience, admitting it was uncomfortable at the outset, especially during the first few weeks of the lawsuit. Nonetheless, he remarked that their friendships have remained intact, minimizing the lawsuit’s impact on their school life.
Ryan Starling emphasized that many teachers have covertly shown support for their daughters amidst challenging circumstances. He shared interactions where teachers subtly affirmed their backing, showcasing an undercurrent of support among faculty despite school policy tensions.
Their attorney, Juliane Fleischer, plans to navigate the legal process to push more claims past the motions to dismiss phase. Judge Sykes indicated that the plaintiffs had not articulated how their equal treatment claim under Title IX applies to them but permitted them to amend those claims.
Fleischer commented on the potential for strengthening their case, stating they aim to address harmful policies impacting many female athletes like Taylor and Kaitlyn. She expressed that while a settlement could be a topic of discussion, the focus remains on how the school district intends to respond to their concerns.
This situation is part of a broader cultural discourse surrounding transgender athletes in women’s sports. Last year, after asserting that school administrators likened their protest T-shirts to swastikas, Starling and Slavin initiated a movement by wearing these shirts every Wednesday. The display garnered solidarity from fellow students, which led to attempts by school administrators to discipline them, including placing students in detention.
Ultimately, the school eased its approach, and students continued to wear the shirts as a form of protest. The collaboration between the Starling and Slavin families extends beyond their school as they have offered guidance to students at the neighboring Jurupa Valley High School. These students are contemplating legal action against the Jurupa Unified School District, relating to their own situation involving a transgender volleyball player.
Students Hadeel Hazameh and Alyssa McPherson cited the inspiring example of Starling and Slavin as encouragement for their legal efforts. Ryan Starling remarked on the initial fears that Hazameh and McPherson experienced but praised their bravery for standing up in the face of adversity. He underscored that litigation often compels school districts to listen.
Dan Slavin reiterated the discussions they’ve had with other students about feelings of intimidation and expressed pride in their daughters for being such powerful role models. He hopes the impact of their advocacy will continue to echo throughout their community.
As the case unfolds, attention will remain focused on the implications for students and the broader discussion on fairness in sports. The Starling and Slavin families exemplify the active engagement of parents in advocating for their children’s rights in an increasingly complex landscape of sports and gender policies.
Fox News Digital has made attempts to reach the Jurupa Unified School District for comment regarding this ongoing situation.
