Eight months after she unknowingly wrestled a transgender opponent, Washington state athlete Kallie Keeler appeared at a federal court hearing this week. While a federal lawsuit moves forward, the teen is asking the court for a school transfer from Rogers High School as well assurance she won’t be required to compete against any transgender athletes in the future.
Female athletes are not informed they are facing a transgender female — meaning male — opponent, or given an opt-out option, under current policy of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.
Suzanne Beecher, legal counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, told “Washington Watch” her client is seeking a preliminary injunction from the court related to both those requests.
“The school has refused to make these very reasonable accommodations,” Beecher said.
Keeler, 16, is represented by ADF in that federal lawsuit as well as a pursuit of criminal charges against school officials.
After reviewing Keeler’s allegation, the Pierce County prosecutor’s office announced in June the male wrestler would not be charged, citing insufficient evidence a crime was committed.
Keeler’s mother video-recorded the wrestling match, unaware at the time the footage would be used to allege a criminal act had occurred. But school officials and law enforcement authorities have said the video did not prove an assault occurred when the male opponent pinned her.
That announcement ended Keeler’s pursuit of criminal charges against the male wrestler, but two school officials have been criminally charged because they failed to report Keeler’s allegation to law enforcement as required by state law.
After show host Jody Hice pointed out the U.S. Department of Education opened an investigation, too, he asked what ADF wants to happen moving forward.
“We're hoping that that will also help encourage Washington officials to do their duty, and to help protect the girls who are entrusted to them, rather than having these policies that keep them and their parents in the dark,” Beecher stated.
Regarding the court hearing, which was held on Monday, Beecher said the federal judge seemed to understand the urgency of Keeler's requests since the new school year begins in coming weeks.
