Three high school girls in Oregon have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the state’s policy that allows transgender-identifying males to compete in girls' sports. The lawsuit, backed by the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), argues that the policy violates Title IX, the federal law intended to ensure equal athletic opportunities for female students.
The plaintiffs, Maddie Eischen, Sophia Carpenter, and a third unnamed girl, allege they were forced to compete against biologically male athletes during a recent track meet. Eischen and Carpenter refused to participate, citing safety and fairness concerns. Their decision followed a high-profile online dispute between conservative women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines and Olympic gymnast Simone Biles.
That social media clash, which drew widespread backlash against Biles after she criticized Gaines and called her a “sore loser,” helped prompt the Oregon students to take legal action. “Seeing how the public responded was encouraging,” Carpenter told Fox News. Eischen noted that the negative response to Biles’ comments reinforced their view that many Americans support protecting women’s sports.
Simone Biles' disparaging comments towards female athletes totally backfired.
She inadvertently inspired two high school girls in Oregon to sue the state after being forced to compete against a boy at their state championship meet.
Poetic.pic.twitter.com/ilLwLHgGNM
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) July 9, 2025
The lawsuit names the Oregon Department of Education, the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA), and Governor Tina Kotek as defendants. It argues that the current policy—based solely on gender self-identification—undermines decades of progress achieved under Title IX protections.
According to AFPI’s statement, the Oregon policy “permits males to compete in K–12 girls’ sports based on nothing more than self-proclaimed gender identity,” and is in direct violation of federal law.
The case adds to the growing national debate over the participation of trans-identifying males in women’s athletics. It also follows a broader political shift: President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order barring biological males from competing in women’s sports, while the Department of Justice has launched a lawsuit against California over similar Title IX issues.
Riley Gaines, a vocal opponent of male participation in women’s sports, praised the Oregon students for stepping forward. She noted the irony of Biles’ comment backfiring: “She inadvertently inspired two high school girls in Oregon to sue the state after being forced to compete against a boy... Poetic.”
The plaintiffs are seeking a federal injunction to block the Oregon policy and restore enforcement of Title IX protections for female athletes.