ROANOKE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – State Attorney General Jason Miyares asserts his Office of Civil Rights found reasonable cause that Roanoke College violated the Virginia Human Rights Act and federal Title IX by discriminating and retaliating against female student-athletes on the basis of sex. Miyares claims in August 2023, the women’s swim team was told a trans athlete, who had been on the men’s swim team and underwent hormone therapy meeting NCAA guidelines, would be joining them. He asserts not only were team members unanimous objections ignored, but they were also retaliated against.

“When the women’s swim team had the courage to speak out publicly on this travesty, Roanoke College retaliated denying multiple female swimmers, some with over 4.o GPA, their applications for a study abroad program”, Miyares said at a news conference announcing the findings.

He finds the women were injured by the sex discrimination and are entitled to pursue monetary damages against Roanoke College.

“Your school has failed you. Your classmates that bullied and provided threats against you have failed you”, Miyares said.

Miyares reports some of the athletes have endured death threats that resulted in them having to walk around only in groups.

“I vowed as Attorney General that I would be the people’s protector, and yes that means protecting women’s sports and dignity of our female athletes.”