Adaleia Cross, a sophomore in high school, is a dedicated student, band member, and athlete. However, she recently found herself facing a challenge that extended far beyond the usual pressures of teenage life. She became the center of a legal battle that reached the U.S. Supreme Court, fighting for the rights of female athletes like herself.
Her case revolves around the Biden administration’s proposed changes to Title IX, the federal law that ensures equal opportunities for women in education and athletics. The administration’s changes, if implemented, could allow males to compete in women’s sports, a move that Adaleia, along with her attorneys from Alliance Defending Freedom, vehemently opposes.
Adaleia’s experience highlights the very real concerns that many female athletes have about the implications of these changes. She recounts her personal experiences on her school’s track team, where a male student who identifies as female joined the team, competing in the same events as Adaleia and other female athletes. While Adaleia acknowledges the importance of inclusivity, she argues that allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports creates an unfair advantage and undermines the hard work and dedication of female athletes.
Adaleia details how the male student’s physical advantage in size and strength led to him consistently outperforming female athletes, including herself. This resulted in a decline in opportunities and recognition for female athletes, as well as a sense of frustration and disappointment.
Beyond the competition aspect, Adaleia also expresses concern about the impact on personal safety and privacy. She recounts instances of inappropriate and sexually harassing comments from the male student in shared spaces like locker rooms and restrooms, making the experience uncomfortable and unsafe for herself and other female students.
Her fight for women’s sports has gained significant support, with numerous women’s groups, scholars, and 20 states joining in her cause. Their shared concern centers around the fundamental fairness and safety of women’s sports, arguing that the administration’s proposed changes erode the hard-won gains of Title IX and create a situation where female athletes are sidelined and their rights are disregarded.
The Supreme Court’s decision in favor of Adaleia represents a significant victory for those who advocate for the protection of women’s sports. It allows her case to proceed in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, giving her a platform to continue fighting for the rights of female athletes and the integrity of women’s sports. Adaleia’s courage and determination in challenging the administration’s overreach serve as an inspiration to other female athletes, demonstrating that their voices and concerns deserve to be heard.
