A federal judge in California has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration challenging the state's policy that allows transgender girls to compete on girls' sports teams. U.S. District Judge Cynthia Valenzuela ruled Monday that the federal government did not sufficiently notify California that its funding could be at risk if schools continued to allow transgender girls to participate in female sports. The ruling leaves California's existing policy in place, which has permitted transgender students to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity since 2013 under Assembly Bill 1266.
The Justice Department expressed disappointment with the court's order and stated it is evaluating its options for an appeal. A spokesperson reiterated the department's commitment to enforcing former President Trump's agenda regarding participation in girls' sports. The lawsuit was notably led by critics of the state's transgender student policies, including Harmeet Dhillon, former chief of the Trump administration's Civil Rights Division, and Bill Essayli, who currently heads the U.S. Attorney's office in Los Angeles.
Critics of California's policy, including Republican lawmakers and conservative advocacy groups, argue that allowing transgender girls to compete against biological females creates an uneven playing field, raises safety concerns, and reduces opportunities for cisgender female athletes, including potential athletic scholarships. This legal challenge unfolds amidst a backdrop of evolving legal decisions regarding transgender athletes.
Recently, the Supreme Court's conservative majority upheld state laws in West Virginia and Idaho that restrict transgender girls from participating in girls' sports. However, Judge Valenzuela emphasized that these Supreme Court rulings were narrow and did not establish a nationwide ban or definitively settle whether Title IX permits transgender girls to compete on girls' teams. The California case highlights the ongoing debate and its impact on individual student-athletes.
Instances such as the performance of transgender student-athlete AB Hernandez, who won multiple girls' events at the CIF State Track and Field Championships and section finals in May 2026, and Athena Ryan, who finished second in a girls' race in 2023 before withdrawing from subsequent events amid protests, have drawn attention to the issue. Similarly, Lorelei Barrett qualified for a state championship but withdrew following backlash.
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