Federal Judge Allows Riley Gaines' Title IX Lawsuit Against NCAA Over Transgender Athletes to Proceed

Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer and conservative activist, has achieved a significant legal milestone as a federal judge allowed her Title IX claim against the NCAA to proceed, dismissing other claims. Gaines and 18 other female athletes sued the NCAA, arguing that its policy permitting transgender athletes to compete in women's sports violated Title IX, citing events including the 2022 NCAA Women's Swimming Championships where transgender athlete Lia Thomas competed. The court dismissed claims against Georgia officials and other defendants, focusing the case solely on whether the NCAA, which receives federal funding, can be held accountable under Title IX. The NCAA initially denied receiving federal funding related to Title IX but has faced pressure following a Trump administration executive order banning transgender women and girls from competing in women's sports. Gaines has been a prominent figure in the debate over transgender participation in women's sports, highlighting privacy concerns such as sharing locker rooms with biological males. The case represents a pivotal moment in the national discussion on fairness and transgender inclusion in women's athletics.