Two female high school athletes have accused a transgender student of aggressive sexual harassment and intimidation. The student is also at the center of a pending US Supreme Court case concerning transgender student participation in girls’ sports.
The allegations have sparked debate and legal action, with the ACLU defending the student’s rights and the Cross family denying the ACLU’s claims.
Allegations of Sexual Harassment and Intimidation
Adaleia Cross, a student at Bridgeport High School, alleges that the transgender student made inappropriate comments to her in the girls’ locker room during the 2022-2023 school year when both attended Bridgeport Middle School. Cross claims these comments constituted sexual harassment and led her to quit the track and field team. According to Cross’s mother, Abby Cross, the student allegedly made explicit statements to Adaleia and other girls.
Legal Background and Supreme Court Case
In 2021, the transgender student, who identifies as female and has done so since the third grade, filed a lawsuit against West Virginia. The lawsuit successfully blocked a state law prohibiting biological males from competing in girls’ sports. The student is represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and over 130 congressional Democrats have filed an amicus brief in support of the student for the Supreme Court review.
ACLU Response
The ACLU has denied the Cross family’s allegations, stating that the school found the claims to be “unsubstantiated” after the family reported them. The organization affirmed its commitment to defending the rights of all students under Title IX, including a safe and inclusive learning environment.
Allegations of Intimidation Tactics
Another female athlete, Emmy Salerno, a runner at Lincoln Middle School, alleges that the same student used “intimidation tactics” against her in spring 2024. Salerno claims that after she and four other girls refused to compete against the transgender student in a girls’ shotput competition, their team was disqualified.
Salerno further alleges that the student exhibited a change in demeanor, staring at her intensely. The student allegedly posted a photo of Salerno on Snapchat with a caption referencing testosterone levels. Salerno also reported feeling threatened and claimed the student followed her to a basketball game.
Supreme Court Review and Upcoming Arguments
An appeals court upheld the decision to block the West Virginia law in April 2024. The US Supreme Court agreed to review the case in July, and oral arguments are scheduled to begin on January 13. The ACLU has not responded to Salerno’s allegations.
