A transgender runner, Sadie Schreiner, has filed a lawsuit against Princeton University after being allegedly barred from participating in a women’s race at the Larry Ellis Invitational. According to the lawsuit, officials informed Schreiner that she could not compete just 15 minutes before the race began, which Schreiner argues is a violation of her rights under New Jersey law.
She alleged that the university’s actions disregarded her rights as a transgender woman and caused her foreseeable harm. The lawsuit also highlights the broader context of challenges faced by transgender athletes in women’s sports. This controversy comes amid ongoing debates about the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports leagues and events.
Schreiner previously competed for Rochester Institute of Technology’s (RIT) women’s track and field team until she was ruled ineligible after the NCAA revised its gender eligibility policy in response to the Trump administration’s executive order. The case illustrates the complex legal and social challenges that trans athletes face, particularly in the United States where policies and public opinion are often polarized on this issue.
Her recent competitions, such as at the USA Track & Field Open Masters Championships, demonstrate her continued engagement in the sport despite these legal and institutional challenges. This incident raises broader questions about the intersection of athletics, gender identity, and legal rights in collegiate and professional sports settings.