Former track coach John Parks files a lawsuit against the Lake Oswego School District for firing him after he sent letters to state officials about laws related to transgender athletes.
Former high school track coach John Parks has filed a lawsuit against an Oregon school district after he was fired for raising concerns about the inclusion of transgender athletes in girls' sports.
Parks, who coached girls track and field at Lake Oswego High School, was fired last month after he sent letters to state officials and lawmakers expressing his belief that current laws do not adequately protect female athletes.
Oregon Track Coach Sues School District Over Transgender Athlete Concerns
In his lawsuit, Parks alleges that the Lake Oswego School District violated his First Amendment rights by firing him for expressing his views on transgender athletes. He is seeking to be reinstated to his coaching position and is asking the court to declare that the school district's policies are unconstitutional.
"The main point of [filing the lawsuit] is to drive home the point that we need protection for female athletes, that's first and foremost. I think we have to force action at the state level," Parks told Fox News Digital.
Oregon Track Coach Sues School District Over Transgender Athlete Concerns
Parks said he was motivated to speak out after he noticed growing tension among his team leading up to the women's 400-meter event at Oregon's state championships in May.
"I had girls on the team that were anxious, parents that were angry. So, I speak to my AD, just asking [if I can] contact the OSAA (Oregon Student Activities Association) and say that this is something that shouldn't be happening, not just my girls but to all the girls," Parks said.
Oregon Track Coach Sues School District Over Transgender Athlete Concerns
Parks sent letters to OSAA officials and state legislators, arguing that the state's laws, as currently constructed, do not ensure fair competition for female athletes.
"The OSAA competition rules need to be aligned with what the rest of the world competes under," Parks wrote in a letter to state Sen. Rob Wagner. "My proposal to encourage transgender participation is to offer an open division that is so named so it doesn't identify or discriminate but offers an opportunity to participate."
Oregon Track Coach Sues School District Over Transgender Athlete Concerns
Parks said he does not advocate for the exclusion of transgender athletes but believes they should have their own category to compete in.
"All I was advocating for … [was] an open division that would allow competition so that the fans could cheer the transgender athletes separately and recognize and reward their efforts," Parks told former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines on her podcast. "But not take away from the female athletes that were naturally born females that are in a whole different competition level."
Oregon Track Coach Sues School District Over Transgender Athlete Concerns
The Lake Oswego School District has declined to comment on Parks' lawsuit, citing its policy of not discussing personnel matters.
Buck Dougherty, an attorney with the Liberty Justice Center, which is representing Parks, said they are confident in their case.
"We believe that the school district violated Mr. Parks' First Amendment rights. He has a right to express his views on this issue, and the school district cannot fire him for doing so," Dougherty said.
The lawsuit is the latest in a growing number of legal challenges to laws that allow transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports. Similar cases are pending in Idaho, Kansas, and West Virginia.
The outcome of these cases could have a significant impact on the future of transgender athletes in sports.
