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Oregon teenagers Alexa Anderson and Reese Eckard scored a victory in their legal battle against the state’s high school athletic association after they stepped down from a medal podium to protest a trans athlete in May.
Anderson and Eckard’s lawsuit against the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) alleges that the league excluded them from official photos after the protest and even withheld their medals. The suit alleges that the girls’ First Amendment rights were violated by the officials.
U.S. District Court Judge Youlee Yim You denied the OSAA’s motion to challenge a portion of the lawsuit that highlighted the types of political speech the league allows, including Black Lives Matter and pro-LGBTQ pride messages, which were a key point of the plaintiffs’ argument.
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Anderson condemned the OSAA for trying to attack that argument in a statement to Pakinomist Digital.
“I’m not surprised that OSAA thought their past behavior didn’t matter — or that the judge disagreed. That’s the thing about bias: The worst offenders are those who can’t see their own behavior for what it is,” Anderson said.
Anderson and Eckard are being represented in their case by the America First Policy Institute (AFPI).
“This may seem like a small procedural victory, but it’s actually a big one. Every time a judge refuses to let officials or institutions silence women for speaking the truth, it’s a victory for the First Amendment and for common sense,” AFPI said in a statement provided to Pakinomist Digital.
“When the OSAA proudly celebrates causes like BLM and Pride Month, but then punishes our plaintiffs for expressing another, equally protected belief, it exposes the hypocrisy at the heart of their actions. The Constitution does not let government officials choose which views are acceptable. And today’s ruling confirmed that truth.”
Pakinomist Digital has reached out to the OSAA for comment on You’s decision.
Anderson and Eckard were honored at the seventh annual Fox Nation Patriot Awards Thursday night, receiving the Most Valuable Patriot Award for their protest in May.
OREGON ATHLETES WIN ‘MOST VALUABLE PATRIOT’ AWARD AFTER REFUSING TO SHARE PODIUM WITH TRANS COMPETITOR
“I am so incredibly grateful and none of this would have been possible without the support of each and every one of you who have seen our story, who have shared it and brought our story and our struggle into the national spotlight,” Anderson said during her acceptance speech.
“I want to start by thanking God. I thank God that all of you are here tonight. I thank God for giving Alexa and I the courage to stand up for the truth,” Eckard added. “There are so many girls who deserve this award for their courage.”
The two high school track stars, who have continued in their sports at the collegiate level, joined “Fox & Friends” Friday morning to discuss the award and the impact the decision has had on their lives and the fight for women’s rights.
“Getting that award was honestly just such an honor. It was never something I thought would happen when we stepped off the podium,” Anderson said.
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After reflecting on the decision to speak up, she “100%” believes it was worth it.
“I think fighting for the rights of women’s sports to have a safe and fair environment is going to be a fight we’re going to be a part of for years — maybe even our lifetimes. And it’s so incredibly worthwhile if we can help all these girls have a safe and fair environment.”
