Washington Family Seeks Supreme Court Injunction After Alleged Wrestling Assault
A Washington family seeks a Supreme Court injunction after their daughter was allegedly assaulted by a transgender athlete during a wrestling match.
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A Washington family is seeking an injunction from the U.S. Supreme Court after their 15-year-old daughter was allegedly assaulted by a transgender athlete during a wrestling match. The incident occurred in December of last year at the Lady Jag Kickoff, an all-girls wrestling tournament in Puyallup. Kallie Keeler, identified in court documents as K.M.K., competed for third place when she faced an opponent she and her mother, Stephanie Lynne Brown, believed to be a female.
Alleged Assault and School District Response
During the match, the family alleges that the opponent penetrated her. Afterward, a coach from another team informed Keeler that the opponent was male. Keeler left the team in January and asked the school district for a guarantee that she would not have to face a male in wrestling without facing penalties. The district refused, stating that Keeler could opt out only if she already knew the opponent was male and that gender-identity information would remain confidential.
Legal Proceedings and Court Rulings
The U.S. Department of Education opened a Title IX investigation into the district in February. Two Rogers High School administrators were later charged with failing to make a mandatory report, though prosecutors did not charge the opponent. A federal judge in Tacoma denied a preliminary injunction on August 23, and the Ninth Circuit denied an emergency injunction on September 25, calling the request a mandatory injunction and finding no strong likelihood of success to justify relief before the season.
Supreme Court Injunction Request
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), representing the plaintiff, filed an emergency application with Justice Elena Kagan for an injunction pending appeal in K.M.K. v. Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). The application argues that no girl should have to choose between playing the sports she loves and her safety, requesting the court to bar officials from forcing Keeler to wrestle a male during the appeal.
WIAA Statement
The WIAA stated that it remains committed to following Washington State law, which allows student-athletes to participate in sports consistent with the gender they identify with. The organization noted that if state law changes, it would revise its policies accordingly. The WIAA declined to comment further on the matter, as it is currently under litigation.
Source: Breitbart