On July 9, 2025, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) over their transgender athlete policies. The lawsuit alleges that the CDE and CIF have engaged in illegal discrimination against female student athletes by allowing transgender girls to compete against them, violating Title IX. California had previously filed a pre-enforcement lawsuit against the DOJ in anticipation of legal retaliation against California’s school systems for policies allowing transgender students to play on sports teams consistent with their gender identity. California has argued that the Trump administration is demanding that California school districts break the law and violate the Constitution. The state also argues that allowing athletic participation consistent with students’ gender identity is squarely within the state’s authority to ensure all students are afforded the benefits of an inclusive school environment, including participation in school sports, and to prevent the serious harms that transgender students would suffer from a discriminatory, exclusionary policy.

Based upon today’s reporting, we are aware of the Trump administration’s lawsuit challenging California law. Our office remains committed to defending and upholding California laws and the rights of all students, including transgender students, to be free from discrimination and harassment. Office of the California Attorney General