Alexa Anderson, an Oregon high school track star, has become a focal point in a growing national debate over transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports. The controversy escalated following the end of the Girls High Jump finals at the Oregon State Athletic Association meet, where Anderson protested the inclusion of Liaa Rose, a transgender athlete competing in the event. Anderson, who was third in the competition, argued that the policy allows biological males to compete against biological females, which she believes undermines Title IX and threatens the rights of female athletes in both sports and education.
During an interview on “Fox & Friends”, Anderson stated, “It’s not about hate or transphobia at all. It’s about protecting women’s rights and their right to fair and equal competition within sports.” She expressed frustration that the protest led to her being pushed out of the photo, with event officials allegedly directing the two protestors to step aside. Anderson’s attorney, Jessica Steinmann, added that the America First Policy Institute has filed a legal complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, arguing that Title IX is being misused to undermine the rights of women athletes. Steinmann emphasized the potential for girls to lose their scholarships and athletic opportunities as biological males increasingly infiltrate women’s sports.
Additionally, the protests came amid a similar controversy in California, where trans athlete AB Hernandez won two state titles in women’s track and field events, defying former President Donald Trump’s policies. This incident highlights the broader debate over the fairness of allowing trans athletes in women’s sports, particularly with regard to Title IX. Anderson’s attorneys argue that the law, intended to protect female athletes, is now being used against them, effectively sidelining them from competitive and educational opportunities. Meanwhile, opponents of the protest argue that the focus should be on ensuring fair competition rather than enforcing a rigid binary categorization in sports.