A conservative advocacy organization is filing a lawsuit against the Lake Oswego School District in Lake Oswego, Oregon, for firing track coach John Parks after he allegedly harassed a transgender athlete.
Parks claims he was fired for his advocacy against transgender inclusion in girls’ sports, but not against a specific athlete. Parks sent a letter to Oregon State Senator Rob Wagner in which he admitted he was fighting against transgender rights in sports. He also mentions high school sophomore Aayden Gallagher, a trans athlete who got booed at a state competition.
Parks believes the crowd was targeting the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) for allowing her to compete and not Gallagher as a person. Regardless of what Parks’ or the crowd’s intentions were, nobody should be subjected to hate because of their gender identity, especially a minor in a public setting.
The Liberty Justice Center is suing to defend Park’s First Amendment rights. In the organization’s official statement, they argue that Parks was looking out for trans athletes, who are subject to lots of media attention and often public hate for their participation in school sports. The statement fails to mention Park’s focus on Gallagher.
In John Park’s official statement, he says, “I’m a staunch defender of transgender rights. For decades, I’ve been a voice for equitable and inclusive treatment for students with a wide variety of gender and sexual identities, on the track and in the classroom.”
This statement contradicts the harassment allegations and the words he sent to Wagner in his letter. Parks also claims that by allowing trans athletes to compete, OSAA is opening up students to “politicization.”
Despite criticizing the school administration, he has done nothing to support trans athletes, as a figure of authority and a coach. In reality, he tried to excuse the crowd’s behavior towards Gallagher.
The organization argues that Park’s termination infringes on freedom of speech and the Fourteenth Amendment, right to due process. Parks says, “We have to find a better way to allow all student-athletes to compete. For that to happen, we need these matters discussed, not silenced.”
Image Courtesy of ACLU
