South Alabama freshman Alexa Anderson filed a lawsuit against the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) after she stepped down from a medal podium to protest a transgender athlete. Anderson, a top recruit in women’s track and field pole vault, found herself in the spotlight for taking a stand on a controversial issue. Her legal action against OSAA centers on her claim that officials told her to leave the medalist photo shoot and denied her third-place medal. The lawsuit aims to ensure that high school athletes in Oregon can exercise their First Amendment rights to free speech without fear of retaliation. The case has already cleared one of the OSAA’s motions to strike, indicating potential legal viability.
Anderson’s stance on supporting women’s sports and opposing what she believes to be the impact of transgender athletes on competition has put her in the spotlight. In an interview with Fox News Digital, she revealed her family’s political background as Oregon Democrats but emphasized her personal values over party affiliations. ‘I think whoever I vote for would be whoever aligns most with my personal values, whether that’s a Democrat or Republican,’ she said. However, her views have also been shaped by recent events, including the assassination of Charlie Kirk, whom she followed closely. ‘I think it is so incredibly horrible that a young man was taken from his family, taken from his children, just for standing up for what he believed in,’ she said, expressing solidarity with those who stand up for their beliefs.
Her motivations are also influenced by her admiration for public figures like Charlie Kirk and Riley Gaines. ‘It was really great to see people with such influence supporting this issue, knowing people like that are standing up with us,’ Anderson said, highlighting the importance of public figures in advocacy. Her respect for former Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, whom she idolized as a child, has led to some tensions, especially after Biles made controversial remarks about Riley Gaines. ‘I think she is an amazing athlete, but I don’t agree with how she handled that situation. I think it was hateful and hurtful and not a good thing for all the girls who look up to her to be seeing,’ Anderson said. The specific incident she referenced involves Biles’ tweet that appears to body-shame Riley Gaines, with Biles writing, ‘bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male.’ This has been a sensitive topic for Anderson, who feels the comments were hurtful and damaging to the perception of Biles as a role model.
As a gymnast before transitioning to pole vault, Anderson’s admiration for Biles has evolved as she has formed her own opinions on the topic. ‘When I saw a tweet of her, kind of body-shaming Riley and saying ’pick on someone your own size,’ that really hurt,’ she said. Her experiences have also sparked significant online attention, with both supportive and negative responses. ‘Some were nice and supportive. But others weren’t. And I even responded to some of those,’ she said. Anderson’s commitment to South Alabama has provided a sense of security, as she feels accepted in her new environment. ‘A lot of people have [seen the viral video of the protest], especially on my track team. A lot of people all know what happened, and they’ve all been very supportive and kind,’ she said, emphasizing the support she has received from her peers.
Now, as she prepares for the South Alabama track and field season, which begins in late January, Anderson is focused on her athletic career while continuing her legal battle. Her decision to use her platform to voice her beliefs has come at a cost, with reports of threats and calls for her expulsion before graduation. ‘There were people who were calling my school asking for me to be expelled, not being allowed to walk at graduation,’ Anderson said. ‘There were people messaging me personally, just saying horrible things, death threats even.’ Despite these challenges, she remains resolute, expressing hope that her actions have inspired others to stand up for their beliefs. ‘I hope you die’ was one of the messages she received, which she described as painful. The situation has been addressed by Tigard High School, which declined to comment on the matter, but Anderson’s commitment to her university and her cause remains unwavering as she moves forward in her athletic and legal endeavors.