Trans sprinter Sadie Schreiner sues Princeton University over alleged trans discrimination
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Trans sprinter Sadie Schreiner has filed a lawsuit against Princeton University, alleging discrimination after being barred from competing in a women’s race in May.
The suit, lodged in Mercer County civil court, claims Schreiner was removed from the final heat sheet of the women’s 200-metre event just 15 minutes before the race. Schreiner had been listed as an unattached athlete, not representing any institution, and was reportedly qualified based on her previous official times.
According to the complaint, Princeton Athletic Director John Mack and Director of Track Operations Kimberly Keenan-Kirkpatrick allegedly disqualified Schreiner upon learning she was trans.
Schreiner offered documentation, including her birth certificate and driver’s licence, affirming her gender identity, but was allegedly dismissed. The lawsuit asserts this action violated the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), which protects gender identity and expression.
Schreiner’s attorney, Susan Cirilli, stated: “Gender identity and expression is a protected status under NJLAD. It is unlawful discrimination for any person to aid, abet, incite, compel or coerce the doing of any acts forbidden under the NJLAD”.
The suit also names Leone Timing and Results Services, responsible for verifying athlete eligibility, as a co-defendant. Schreiner is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages, citing emotional and physical harm caused by the exclusion.
This legal action follows broader tensions in collegiate athletics, as the NCAA recently implemented policies barring transgender women from competing on women’s teams. Schreiner, who previously earned national honours at Rochester Institute of Technology, was affected by these changes earlier this year.
