South Alabama freshman Alexa Anderson filed a lawsuit against the Oregon School Activities Association after stepping down from a medal podium to protest a transgender athlete.
University of South Alabama freshman Alexa Anderson, a top recruit nationally in the women’s track and field pole vault, took a bold stand by stepping down from a medal podium to protest a transgender athlete. This act of defiance set off a chain of events that led to a legal battle for free speech rights in athletics.
Anderson filed a lawsuit against the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) after she was told to leave a medalist photo shoot and was denied her third-place medal. The lawsuit aims to ensure that high school athletes in Oregon can express their First Amendment rights without fear of retaliation from officials, and it has already cleared one of the OSAA’s motions to strike.
Anderson, a daughter of Oregon Democrats, has expressed her support for the cause of protecting women’s sports from male trans athletes, while emphasizing her commitment to personal values over political party lines. Her stance was reinforced after witnessing the assassination of Charlie Kirk, where she found inspiration in the figure’s dedication to standing up for his beliefs.
Anderson was also influenced by the collaboration between Kirk and Riley Gaines, a prominent women’s sports activist, which reinforced her belief that individuals with influence should support the cause. She expressed hope that Kirk would be proud of the actions she and other athletes have taken to defend what she believes in.
Anderson’s journey from being a gymnast to a pole vaulter reflects her deep-rooted passion for sports. Her admiration for Simone Biles, the Olympic legend, was significant, particularly during her nine-year career in gymnastics. However, she has recently expressed concerns about Biles’ handling of a contentious situation with Gaines, criticizing it as ‘hateful and hurtful.’
As a result of the controversy, Anderson became a prominent figure in the Save Women’s Sports advocacy group on social media, where she received a mix of supportive and hostile responses. Some messages escalated to the point of death threats and demands for her expulsion before graduation, which she has publicly acknowledged. Despite this, she has remained resolute in her commitment to both her education and athletics, having recently committed to the University of South Alabama.
Anderson has expressed that she feels safe and accepted at South Alabama, where she has support from her teammates and track community. While she continues to advance her legal case, she is also looking forward to the upcoming season, where she will compete in the Sun Belt Conference and further her pursuit of athletic excellence.
Her story has garnered significant attention, with ongoing coverage from Fox News and other media outlets, highlighting the intersection of free speech, athletics, and political activism. As she navigates her personal and professional challenges, Anderson remains focused on her goals and the broader movement she is helping to inspire.