The father of a Michigan high school volleyball player suing over transgender participation in girls' sports has sharply criticized remarks made by Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, stating that his family's experience demonstrates the issue is far from manufactured.
Sean Lechner, whose daughter Briley Lechner is a plaintiff in the lawsuit against Monroe Public Schools, directly addressed El-Sayed, saying, "Mr. El-Sayed, how can you look my daughter in the eyes and call this a manufactured issue? She is living this fight. Our entire family has lived it for a year, and it’s a living hell!! it is far from over."
Lechner's statement was a response to El-Sayed's comments during an interview with Ross Douthat on "60 Minutes." When asked about parental control over education and transgender students' participation on sports teams, El-Sayed stated, "I think we manufacture these social issues..."
Briley Lechner and her father filed a federal lawsuit on October 9, alleging that school officials knew about a transgender athlete on an opposing team before a September 9, 2025, match but did not inform Monroe players or parents. The lawsuit also claims the transgender athlete was allowed to use the girls' locker room without the Monroe athletes being notified.
Lechner described El-Sayed's remarks as "disgusting," adding, "My daughter’s privacy, dignity and right to fair competition deserve more than your manufactured, political talking points."
El-Sayed, who is running against Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's upcoming Senate election, argued in the interview that cultural disputes distract from pressing economic concerns such as the cost of groceries, gas, and healthcare.
Lechner urged voters to prioritize their children's interests over party affiliation, stating, "My faith and my family come first. I pray every Michigander votes for the person, not the party, and demands leaders with the courage to protect our children."
He concluded, "Our daughters should never pay the price for a politician’s cowardice—and I’ll make damn sure my voice, my vote and my fight for my daughter are impossible to ignore!!!"