Our volleyball dreams were shattered. We had to choose between competing against a male player or forfeiting

Our volleyball league made it clear that we had to compete against a male athlete or forfeit everything we had worked for. Still, our choice was clear. We stood by our faith.

No girl should be forced to choose between competing against a male athlete or not competing at all. No girl should lose athletic opportunities for standing up for biological reality and truth. Rennah Friedman plays volleyball for Stone Ridge Christian School in Merced, California.

No girl should be forced to choose between competing against a male athlete or not competing at all. No girl should lose athletic opportunities for standing up for biological reality and truth. Every athlete has the right to compete while adhering to her religious beliefs.  The California Interscholastic Federation has publicly said that our school may be subject to sanctions for our commonsense stand. So, Stone Ridge has retained Alliance Defending Freedom, which stands ready and able to defend the school should the government follow through with its threats of punishment.  Although we are the first Christian school in the state to choose to stand up for our beliefs in this way, college volleyball players at public universities who likewise have a lot to lose are bravely standing for truth, fairness and safety. Five teams have now forfeited seven matches against nearby San Jose State University, which allows a male athlete to compete on its women’s volleyball team.