Two California families, along with advocacy group Save Girls Sports, have filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, and the Riverside Unified School District, challenging the state's law permitting transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports. The lawsuit argues that California's AB 1266, enacted in 2014, violates Title IX protections by creating an unfair playing field for female athletes. The families allege their daughters were unfairly displaced on their high school sports teams by a transgender athlete and subsequently reprimanded for wearing “Save Girls Sports” shirts in protest. The legal representation for the families, Advocates for Faith & Freedom, asserts that AB 1266 disregards the biological advantages of transgender athletes and jeopardizes the safety and fairness of girls' sports. The plaintiffs are seeking a federal ruling to invalidate AB 1266 and hold the school district accountable for alleged First Amendment violations. One parent indicated that the issue might become a focal point in the 2026 California gubernatorial election if not addressed. Concurrently, California Assemblymember Kate Sanchez is preparing to introduce the Protect Girls’ Sports Act, aiming to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls' and women's sports, mirroring similar legislation in 25 other states.
