A lawsuit brought against three school districts and the Utah High School Activities Association that started Tuesday aims to answer one central question: Are they required by law to offer tackle football for girls?
Loren Washburn, who is representing well-known female football player Sam Gordon and others, argued that there is enough interest, ability and reasonable expectation of competition to offer girls’ football. He also raised that until recently, many schools advertised football as “boys’ football,” which he suggested inherently excludes girls.
The case involves whether the districts and association are complying with Title IX, the federal civil rights law that protects people from discrimination on the basis of sex. The law states: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial…
