Attorney for alleged victim of trans athlete sexual assault says SCOTUS fight can help set Title IX precedent

A Washington high school wrestler’s Supreme Court fight could help bring restrictions on transgender athletes in girls’ sports to 23 states, an attorney representing her told OutKick.

Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) senior counsel Hal Frampton said the ultimate objective is a ruling establishing that Title IX requires a protected female sports category, with consequences beyond the immediate request to protect wrestler Kallie Keeler.

"And the hope would be then that that would force all 23 of those states to enact policies protecting women and girls, protecting the female category, and simply getting back to the common sense notion that women's sports are for women," Frampton said.

WASHINGTON FAMILY REQUESTS SCOTUS INJUNCTION AFTER DAUGHTER WAS ALLEGEDLY SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY TRANS ATHLETE Keeler, identified in court as K.M.K., and her mother, Stephanie Lynne Brown, are seeking intervention after Keeler alleged she was sexually assaulted by a transgender opponent during a girls’ wrestling match in December 2025.

"Ultimately, the goal is a ruling from the Supreme Court that says that Title IX requires fairness and safety for women and girls," Frampton said.

Asked whether that broader objective could be accomplished through the current Supreme Court application or would require further steps, Frampton called it "a huge step toward accomplishing that goal." The application seeks an injunction pending appeal and alternatively asks the justices to take up the case before the Ninth Circuit finishes reviewing it.

A temporary order protecting Keeler would not, by itself, impose new eligibility policies on 23 states.

INSIDE THE SUPREME COURT BATTLE TO 'SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS' The distinction matters because the Ninth Circuit said the Supreme Court’s recent West Virginia v.

B.P.J. decision left open whether schools may allow biological males who identify as female to participate in girls’ and women’s sports.

Frampton’s goal would address that unresolved question.

For Keeler, Frampton said, the immediate concern is returning to wrestling before her remaining high school seasons slip away.

"We filed the emergency application with the Supreme Court because it's really the only way to get Callie and her family relief in advance of wrestling season," he said.

Frampton emphasized that the emergency request seeks protection for Keeler rather than monetary damages, though he left open the possibility of pursuing damages later.

"For right now, all we're saying is while this case is pending," give her assurance she can compete without being matched against a male athlete, he said.