California volleyball players file Title IX complaint over ‘trans’ athlete, cite safety risks

Three Santa Rosa Junior College volleyball players filed a federal Title IX complaint Sept. 3, arguing that a male athlete who identifies as a female has endangered their safety, privacy, and athletic opportunities, according to a Sept. 4 report from OutKick. 

The complaint, submitted to the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, names both the college and the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A). It calls for penalties against colleges that do not comply with Title IX and for new rules limiting women’s sports to biological females. 

Sophomore Madison Shaw and freshmen Gracie Shaw and Brielle Galli argue that Ximena Gomez’s participation creates unsafe conditions and that the school’s policies give Gomez an unfair advantage. 

Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines, now an outspoken advocate for women’s sports, drew attention to the case in an X post, calling it a fight over “safety concerns, lost opportunities & locker room issues.” 

The complaint cites two specific incidents as evidence of unsafe male advantages: in 2024, Gomez allegedly spiked a ball that gave a teammate a concussion; and in August 2025, another spike struck Gracie Shaw in the face. The athletes also object to Gomez’s use of the women’s locker room. 

According to the filing, the players faced retaliation after raising concerns to their coach and school. They claim their coach canceled meetings with them, cut their starting positions, and reduced their playing time.

At issue is the 3C2A’s transgender participation policy, which allows male athletes to compete on women’s teams after one year of testosterone suppression. The players argue the rule violates Title IX by permitting schools to roster male athletes without disclosure and by setting testosterone thresholds higher than levels any woman could naturally produce. 

Santa Rosa Junior College spokesperson Sarah Pew responded to the complaint in a Sept. 4 statement to OutKick. Pew said the school follows 3C2A regulations and is “committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students.” 

She added that the college cannot comment on individual cases but “takes all reports seriously and responds through established procedures.”