Three civil rights groups are suing Tennessee over a law restricting transgender student participation in school sports.
Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the ACLU of Tennessee filed a lawsuit on Thursday in federal court, claiming the law, which was signed in March, is discriminatory and unconstitutional.
The suit was filed on behalf of Luc Esquivel, a 14-year-old trans boy at Farragut High School in Knoxville. Luc wanted to play on the boys’ golf team but is not allowed to because of the law.
“I was really looking forward to trying out for the boys’ golf team and, if I made it, training and competing with and learning from other boys and improving my game,” Luc said, according to a press release. “Then, to have the legislature pass a law that singled out me and kids like me to keep us from being part of a team, that crushed me, it hurt very much. I just want to play, like any other kid.”
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The law, signed by Republican Gov. Bill Lee, requires student-athletes and their parents to prove the sex athletes were assigned at birth. This can be achieved by either showing an original birth certificate or another form of evidence, according to NBC News.
Lee has spoken out against transgender athletes competing in sports against others that align with their gender identities. He said it would “ruin the opportunity for girls to earn scholarships.”
Lee also signed a bill in May that could prompt public schools and districts to face litigation if they permit transgender students or staff to use locker rooms or restrooms that don’t align with their sex at birth.
Other states have also passed laws restricting trans participation in school sports.
In June, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill barring transgender females from competing in women’s and girls’ school sports programs. Last month, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill that restricts transgender youth from participating in public school sports teams.
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Lee’s office did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
