A federal civil rights lawsuit filed in California alleges a high school violated Title IX protections by allowing a transgender student to compete on girls' volleyball and track teams and access female locker rooms, arguing school officials failed to protect female athletes.
The suit, filed last week in federal court, names three plaintiffs Madison McPherson, Alyssa McPherson and Hadeel Hazameh who were teammates at Jurupa Valley High School. It also names the California Department of Education, the California Interscholastic Federation and the Jurupa Unified School District as defendants, and centers on AB Hernandez, identified in court filings, who joined the school's girls' volleyball and track teams in 2022.
The plaintiffs say Hernandez participated in the schools teams in a way that raised ongoing concerns about safety and fairness. The lawsuit claims that Hernandez laughed at injuring opponents during a volleyball match and boasted about causing three possible concussions, and that coach Fernando Centeno told her to hit from the back row, but she continued to attack from the front row with force far exceeding typical female level play, according to the filing.
The plaintiffs allege further that they were subjected to unwanted physical contact and inappropriate remarks from Hernandez that made them uncomfortable. The suit notes that two of the plaintiffs identify as practicing Catholics who believe gender is fixed, while Hazameh is a practicing Muslim who cannot expose her hair or body to men. Based on these beliefs, the plaintiffs object to sharing locker rooms with opposite-sex students and to participating on teams that include the opposite sex, the complaint states.
Advocates for Faith and Freedom filed the complaint on the girls' behalf. Robert Tyler, the group's president and chief counsel, said that the daughters are being denied fair play and subjected to harassment because of California's policies toward transgender student athletes.
The filing notes that Hernandez has competed in sports with and against women since 2022. In interviews with media outlets, Alyssa McPherson described safety concerns surrounding a transgender teammate and expressed that sitting out was difficult but necessary for safety. Hernandez has acknowledged criticism but said she remains focused on her own performance and training.
California has allowed trans students to participate in sex-segregated programs since 2013, including sports teams and bathrooms or locker rooms that align with gender identity. The suit contextualizes the policy as a backdrop for the litigation.
Hernandez has said she is navigating intense public scrutiny and that she is a student who trains hard, noting the support of teammates who chose to compete against Jurupa Valley High’s Lady Jags despite the controversy.
The broader political context surrounding the case includes a nationwide debate over transgender participation in women's sports. Earlier this year, former President Donald Trump criticized California policies on trans athletes and threatened to withhold federal funding if the state did not enforce a ban. Trump posted on social media alleging that a transitioned athlete dominated certain events and urging action from state leaders on funding issues.
The lawsuit remains in federal court, with no trial date set at this time, and its outcome could influence ongoing policy discussions at the state and national levels. The case is being watched as part of broader legal challenges to Title IX enforcement and gender identity protections in school athletics.