Soule v. Connecticut Association of Schools

Ever since the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference adopted a policy that allows males who identify as female to compete in girls’ athletic events, boys have consistently deprived Selina Soule, Alanna Smith, Chelsea Mitchell, and Ashley Nicoletti of honors and opportunities to compete at elite levels. CIAC’s policy is at odds with Title IX, a federal law designed to create equal opportunities for women in education and athletics.

Case Timeline

• June 2019: ADF filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, asking it to investigate illegal discrimination against the Connecticut female athletes. That August, under the Trump Administration, the Office agreed to open an investigation into the CIAC.
• February 2020: ADF attorneys filed a lawsuit in federal court against the CIAC.
• March 2020: The U.S. Department of Justice filed a brief supporting ADF’s position in the case, but in February 2021, under the new Biden administration, the Department of Education withdrew its support for these female athletes.
• February 2021: The ACLU argued that this case should be dismissed and that these female athletes’ concern about fairness in women’s sports should be disregarded.
• April 2021: The court agreed with the ACLU and dismissed the case.
• May 2021: ADF appealed the ruling to the U.S Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit.
• December 2022: A three-judge panel of the 2nd Circuit ruled against allowing the case to move forward.
• February 2023: The 2nd Circuit announced that the full court would rehear the case.
• June 2023: ADF attorneys argued before the full 2nd Circuit.
• December 2023: The full 2nd Circuit reinstated the case, allowing it to proceed at the federal district court level.
• August 2024: ADF attorneys returned to the district court to argue the case.
• November 2024: The district court ruled that the lawsuit may proceed, rejecting a request by state officials to dismiss the case.