A Vermont Christian school is appealing a decision that barred it from participating in the state sports league after withdrawing its high school girls basketball team from a playoff game due to a transgender student playing on the opposing team.
Mid Vermont Christian School, located in Quechee, forfeited the game in February, citing concerns about fairness and player safety. The Vermont Principals’ Association ruled the school had violated policies on race, gender, and disability awareness, making it ineligible for future games.
The school, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, filed a brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, alleging a violation of its First Amendment rights. The organization argued that the school forfeited the game to uphold its religious beliefs.
Alliance Defending Freedom's senior counsel stated that no religious school should be denied benefits for holding its beliefs. The Vermont Principals’ Association expelled Mid Vermont Christian from all sporting events, citing the stigmatization of the transgender student.
A federal judge previously denied the school's request to rejoin the sports association, stating that the state's athletic policy is applied uniformly and not discriminatory. The judge noted that the school could seek readmission by agreeing to comply with association policies and confirming willingness to compete against teams with transgender players.
However, the school expressed intent to continue forfeiting games involving transgender students and sought readmission without penalty for doing so. The Vermont Agency of Education declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.
