Education Department Sues California League and Two Districts Over Transgender Athlete Policy

The U.S. Department of Education and Defending Education filed a joint Title IX complaint on Thursday against the California Interscholastic Federation, Carlsbad Unified School District, and Jurupa Unified School District. The complaint alleges that the organizations allowed a male student from Jurupa Unified to compete in girls' track and field events at state championships in both 2025 and 2026.

Allegations in the Complaint The filing states that Jurupa Unified maintains a bylaw requiring student athletes to participate in programs consistent with their gender identity. A parent of two daughters who compete against Jurupa Unified students reported that her oldest daughter was required to race against the male student in a state track championship.

The same parent said school officials suggested her daughter use the nurse's office instead of shared locker rooms when she raised concerns in June 2025.

The complaint asserts that the policies violate Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Defending Education stated in a Thursday press release that the organizations are prioritizing the desires of self-professed transgender girls over the girls for whom Title IX itself was passed.

The U.S. Department of Education, Defending Education, Jurupa Unified, and Carlsbad Unified did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The California Interscholastic Federation declined to comment.

The complaint follows a Supreme Court ruling on Tuesday that found bans on transgender-identifying males competing in female sports do not violate Title IX or the Equal Protection Clause. More than two dozen states currently restrict girls' and women's sports participation to biological sex.