Transgender Athlete Files Lawsuit Against Princeton University Alleging Discrimination: What You Need to Know

In February 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order called “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” This order bans transgender women and girls from competing in female sports at all levels. This decision affects many young athletes, especially as nearly 300,000 teens in the U.S. identify as transgender. Currently, 27 states have enacted similar bans, impacting about 117,000 transgender youth.

The issue has garnered attention with a recent lawsuit from Sadie Schreiner, a transgender woman and track athlete at Princeton University. She claims she was removed from the Women’s 200-Meter Run at the Larry Ellis Invitational just 15 minutes before the race because of her gender identity.

According to the lawsuit, Schreiner had qualified for the race on May 3, 2025. However, when she checked the official heat list, her name was missing. She alleges this action violates the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, which protects against discrimination based on gender and sex.

During her conversation with Princeton officials, they questioned her identity, implying disbelief about her being a woman. In response, Schreiner offered to take physical tests and show documents proving her gender identity.

Her attorney, Susie Cirilli, has expressed strong support for Schreiner, stating that the university’s actions were not only discriminatory but also went beyond acceptable behavior.

This case adds to the growing tensions around transgender participation in sports. Just weeks prior, swimmer Lia Thomas filed a lawsuit against the University of Pennsylvania, claiming discrimination for competing alongside a trans athlete.

In recent years, debates over gender identity in sports have surged. A 2023 Gallup poll found that 62% of Americans support allowing transgender athletes to compete according to their gender identity, showing a divided public opinion on this sensitive issue. As discussions continue, the impact on young athletes’ lives remains significant.

For more on the implications of these policies and the ongoing legal battles, you can read about the effects of such bans from the Williams Institute.

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LGBTQ, New Jersey