Four parents of female athletes at Dakota Ridge High School in Jefferson County have spoken out after the school placed a trans athlete on the junior varsity girls’ volleyball roster. The parents say the decision violates the privacy of the 50‑plus girls who use the locker room and undermines fairness in competition.
Parents cite lack of transparency
According to the parents, district officials invoked state non‑discrimination guidelines to allow the trans athlete access to the girls’ locker room, while simultaneously cutting more than 35 female players from the team. Internal emails obtained by OutKick show the district anticipated the dispute weeks in advance, yet parents and players were blindsided when the athlete was added to the roster without warning.
“The girls’ locker room is a sacred space,” said Josh, a father who attended a recent match. “What’s happening at Dakota Ridge is a slow burn to that sacred space.” He added that the interim superintendent visited the trans athlete’s family but ignored the concerned parents.
District’s only offered remedy
Jefferson County Public Schools, Colorado’s second‑largest district, has offered a single accommodation: directing girls who are uncomfortable to seek a private changing area elsewhere in the building. Parents argue that the solution should be reversed – that the school should provide a private space for the trans athlete instead.
“They said they could make accommodations for my daughter, not the other player,” said Carey, a mother of a varsity athlete. “My number one concern is safety. Feeling safe and comfortable in a locker room is critical, as is fairness in female sports.”
Alleged retaliation
Parents also report intimidation. Head coach Matthew Zeman allegedly threatened two players with benching after they were overheard discussing the situation in a parking lot. Carey confirmed that her daughter and a teammate were told they could not play after the conversation, but the decision was later reversed after a meeting with the coach and athletic director.
“When the girls were talking about it in the parking lot, the coach pulled them out and said they were bullying,” Josh recounted. “He couldn’t name any rule they broke, and it felt like bullying by the coach.”
Security presence at games
Following the dispute, the team’s recent matches at Standley Lake and Littleton were played with heightened security, including an armed guard inside the gym. Parents observed up to three security personnel at recent games.
Community response
Other parents, such as Aaron and Zachary, expressed frustration with the district’s handling of the issue. Aaron said, “There should not be biological males in the girls’ locker rooms. The district waited too long to disclose this, putting our daughters in a hard situation.” Zachary called the situation “beyond lunacy,” questioning how the district arrived at this policy.
District officials have not responded to requests for comment.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
