Title IX Special Investigations Team Probes the California Community College Athletic Association for 'Transgender Participation Policy'

Today, the U.S. Department of Education's (ED's) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ's) Title IX Special Investigations Team (Title IX SIT) initiated an investigation into the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A) amid allegations that its 'Transgender Participation Policy' (Policy) violates Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX).

3C2A's Policy states that "a trans[gender] female...or non-binary student-athlete who has completed at least one calendar year of testosterone suppression treatment...may compete on a women's team." According to a complaint submitted to OCR, the Policy resulted in discrimination against at least three female athletes on the basis of sex by allowing a male athlete to participate on the women's volleyball team at a member college and access locker facilities for women during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. It further alleges that 3C2A ignored female students' complaints about the harms caused to females when male students participate in female sports. As an entity that sets policy for educational institutions that receive Federal financial assistance in California, 3C2A has an obligation to uphold Title IX's sex-based protections.

"The fact that a Community College Athletic Association has a 'Transgender Participation Policy' is a stunning indictment of our culture. Women's sports are for women. Yet California's Governor Gavin Newsom-despite admitting the truth on a podcast-continues to put ideology above the safety of and fairness for his own students. The Trump Administration will not tolerate policies that erase women's rights," said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey. "The Title IX SIT looks forward to investigating this matter to ensure every woman has equal access to educational programs and athletic opportunities-because fairness and safety are non-negotiable."

Background

In April 2025, amid a staggering volume of Title IX complaints, ED and DOJ announced the creation of the Title IX Special Investigations Team to streamline investigations and expedite enforcement. The Title IX SIT's first investigation was into the California Department of Education.

Earlier this week, as the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on two cases challenging state laws that ban men from competing in women's sports, Secretary McMahon spoke outside of the Court, emphasizing the importance of upholding Title IX to protect female athletes.

Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

Contact

Tags