U.S. Government Launches Investigation into Oregon Schools Over Transgender Athlete Participation
(Reuters) – A complaint from the conservative America First Policy Institute has prompted a U.S. government investigation into Oregon schools for permitting transgender girls to compete in female-only sporting events. The U.S. Department of Education announced the inquiry on Friday, citing allegations that the Oregon Department of Education prevents schools from excluding transgender athletes, thus violating federal sex discrimination laws.
The investigation aligns with President Donald Trump’s earlier executive order aimed at excluding transgender girls and women from female sports, a move supporters argue would restore fairness. Critics, however, contend that such measures violate the rights of numerous athletes. Jessica Hart Steinmann, executive general counsel of America First Policy Institute, praised Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s leadership in advancing the investigation, calling it essential to ensure equal opportunities in women’s athletics.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education also disclosed that it found five school districts in northern Virginia in violation of federal sex discrimination laws. These districts, including Alexandria City Public Schools and Fairfax County Public Schools, were penalized for allowing students access to sex-segregated facilities based on their gender identity. The department has granted these districts ten days to respond to the findings or face potential enforcement actions.
Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor criticized the practices in these districts, stating, “It’s time for northern Virginia’s experiment with radical gender ideology and unlawful discrimination to come to an end.”
As the investigations unfold, both sides of the debate over transgender participation in sports and facility access continue to mobilize, highlighting the deep divisions in this contentious issue.
(Reporting by Andrew Hay; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
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