Major update in legal case of girls who protested trans athlete at track and field medal podium
Topics: US News, Education, Sport, Transgender, LGBTQ
Liv Bridge
Featured Image Credit: America First Policy Institute
Topics: US News, Education, Sport, Transgender, LGBTQ
Warning: This article contains discussion of trans issues which some readers may find distressing.
The teen girls who protested against a trans athlete from the podium following a track and field race are celebrating a major win in their legal battle.
Back in May, Alexa Anderson and Reese Eckard, high school track stars from Oregon, refused to take to the podium with their medals in protest of a transgender competitor at the state's track and field championships.
The pair, with Anderson coming in third and Eckard in fourth, stepped down from the high jump podium and turned their back to it as the winners were announced, which included trans student Lia Rose who tied for fifth place.
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The athletes later launched a lawsuit against the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA), accusing the league of excluding them from official photographs and allegedly withholding their medals.
Now, there's been a landmark update in their case as US District Court Judge Youlee Yim You refused OSAA's motion to strike parts of the teens' lawsuit concerning political speech.
The plaintiffs pointed out Black Lives Matter and pro-LGBTQ pride messages or other forms of protest are permitted by the league, forming a major part of their argument.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Anderson slammed OSSA for attempting to have their argument removed from the case.
"I’m not surprised OSAA thought their past behavior didn’t matter — or that the judge disagreed," she said. "That’s the thing with bias: The worst offenders are the ones who can’t see their own behavior for what it is."
Anderson and Eckard, represented by the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) also told the outlet that the win is 'a big one' for the case.
"This may seem like a small procedural win, but it’s actually a big one. Every time a judge refuses to let government officials or institutions silence women for speaking the truth, it’s a victory for the First Amendment and for common sense," it said in a statement.
"When the OSAA proudly celebrates causes like BLM and Pride Month but then punishes our plaintiffs for expressing a different, equally protected belief, it exposes the hypocrisy at the heart of their actions.
"The Constitution doesn’t let government officials pick which viewpoints are acceptable. And today’s ruling reaffirmed that truth.”
Their victory comes as the teen athletes were awarded the Most Valuable Patriot Award for their protest at the Fox Nation Patriot Awards earlier this week.
In her acceptance speech, Anderson said: "I’m so incredibly grateful, and none of this would’ve been possible without the support of every single one of you who has seen our story, who has shared it and brought our story and our fight into the national spotlight."
She said in a follow-up on Fox and Friends on Friday (November 7) that she was committed to 'fighting for the rights of women's sports to have a safe and fair environment' but admitted it may drag out for 'years' or even 'our lifetime'.
"It’s so incredibly worth it if we can help all these girls to have a safe and fair environment," she concluded.
Eckard also said in her acceptance speech that there are dozens of other girls who 'deserve this award for their courage'.
"I thank God that He gave Alexa and I the courage to stand for truth," she added.
UNILAD has contacted the OSAA for comment.