Court Allows ACSI and Female Athletes to Intervene in Lawsuit to Protect Fairness in Women’s Sports September 16, 2022

Knoxville, Tenn.– A federal district court issued an order Wednesday that allows the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and three female athletes in Arkansas to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s reinterpretation of federal law that allows males to compete on female athletic teams. Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) attorneys represent ACSI and the female athletes.

Twenty state attorneys general, led by the state of Tennessee, are challenging guidance documents issued by the U.S. Department of Education that interpret Title IX, which prohibits “discrimination on the basis of sex,” to bar discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Among other things, these documents would require that schools subject to Title IX allow males who identify as female to participate on female athletic teams and use female-designated showers and locker rooms.

ACSI President Dr. Larry Taylor believes this historic moment serves as an “encouraging win” for Christian schools and educators.

“This court order enables ACSI to challenge the Biden administration’s reinterpretation of federal law that would allow males to compete on female athletic teams,” he said. “We are passionate about protecting and preserving fairness for our female athletes.”

ACSI member schools represent nearly 500,000 students across the United States. Member schools compete against public schools that receive federal financial assistance and are required to adhere to the new federal mandate. This places Christian schools and their female athletes at a disadvantage because the public schools they compete against in athletic events would be required to permit males to compete on female sports teams.

ADF Senior Counsel Jonathan Scruggs believes the Biden administration’s push to redefine sex threatens the safety, competitiveness, and equality of female athletes.

“We are pleased that the Association of Christian Schools International and the female athletes we represent will have the opportunity to participate in this case,” he shared. “Female athletes deserve to compete on a level playing field.”

Taylor is committed to ensuring the protection of Christian school students and female athletes in the future.

“We will continue to advocate on behalf of our Christian schools and students to defend their rights and promote fairness,” he said. “This is a huge win that we could not have accomplished without the commitment of our ACSI Public Policy and Legal Affairs Department and the support of Alliance Defending Freedom.”

About ACSI: 

Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, ACSI exists to strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators worldwide as they prepare students academically and inspire them to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ. ACSI advances excellence in Christian schools by enhancing the professional and personal development of Christian educators and providing vital support functions for Christian schools through multiple services including teacher and administrator certification, school accreditation, legal/legislative assistance, and curriculum publishing. ACSI supports more than 5,000 member schools throughout the United States and around the world, which collectively serve approximately 1.2 million students. Through additional training programs, materials, and expertise provided to other educational groups worldwide, ACSI’s overall influence and positive impact reaches more than 26,000 schools operating in 100 countries, together serving 5.5 million people.

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About ADF:

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.

Learn more about ADF by visiting the website.