Education Department investigating Oregon for allowing trans athlete in women's sports

The Department sent a letter to Kimberlee Armstrong, Superintendent of Portland Public Schools (the District), informing her that the investigation is now open. 

"These allegations include allowing a male track student athlete to compete in a girls' interscholastic track and field competition on March 19, 2025, and permitting the male athlete to use the girls' locker room while female athletes were changing," the OCR said in a press release.

"Nonbinary, intersex, genderfluid, Two Spirit, and other students who do not consistently identify with the gender binary cannot be prohibited from playing on athletic teams of either gender, in alignment with Oregon nondiscrimination law," the guidelines state. 

There's also a section relating to required uniforms, where schools are forced to "develop any athletic uniform policies with consideration of the needs of gender expansive students." 

"It's just frustrating that nothing has changed. But I would very much, and I know other women would [as well], appreciate seeing Oregon being investigated for this, because I feel like it's so obvious that this is happening, and it is so obvious that it is wrong," Lilian Hammond told OutKick. 

"I am very happy that this is getting the attention that it deserves," Hammond said in a text message to OutKick after learning about the investigation.

"We will not allow the Portland Public Schools District or any other educational entity that receives federal funds to trample on the antidiscrimination protections that women and girls are guaranteed under law," said Craig Trainor, Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. 

"President Trump and Secretary McMahon have been steadfast in their commitment to protect the rights of women and girls. OCR will use every lawful means to ensure that no female athlete is denied equal athletic opportunities or robbed of her rightful accolades."

OutKick reached out to Kimberlee Armstrong and OSAA about the investigation. Neither responded to our request for comment. 

"I stand firm in our legal responsibilities, and I deeply value every student's right to be treated with dignity, safety, and respect," Armstrong said in a statement to The Oregonian. 

"PPS is in full compliance with Oregon state law, which may differ from federal guidance. We are actively working with our legal and state partners to navigate this complex legal landscape. While I am limited in what I can share at this time due to the sensitive nature of the matter and our duty to protect student privacy, I want to be clear: my commitment-and our district's commitment-to doing what's right for all students, especially those most vulnerable, remains unwavering."

While Oregon, like Maine, has argued that their state law permits athletes to compete with and against athletes who match their gender identity - rather than their biological sex - the OCR has repeatedly made it clear that federal mandates supersede state law. 

News of the OCR investigation came on the same day that World Athletics, the global governing body for Track & Field, announced it will perform biological sex tests on female athletes to keep males out of the women's category.