In a bold stand for traditional values, Stone Ridge Christian High School in Merced, California, recently made headlines by forfeiting a high school volleyball match against San Francisco Waldorf. The reason? Waldorf’s team included a transgender athlete, and Stone Ridge Christian, rooted in Biblical principles, refused to participate in an event that contradicted their beliefs on gender.
In a statement released by the school, Stone Ridge explained the difficult decision, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to the authority of Scripture. “At SRC, we believe God’s Word is authoritative and infallible. It is Truth,” the school affirmed. Citing the book of Genesis, which clearly delineates the creation of male and female, the school made it clear that they do not believe gender is changeable, a position at odds with the transgender ideology that is gaining traction in schools across the nation.
The school further stated that their decision was not made lightly but was also influenced by the health and safety of their student-athletes. “We also have a duty and responsibility to care for the health and safety of our athletes,” the statement continued, recognizing that competing against a team with a transgender player could create safety concerns in a physically demanding sport like volleyball.
The school’s leadership emphasized that the forfeit was an act of principle. “Standing for Biblical truth means more than the outcome of a game,” the statement read. “This is a heartbreaking end to our season, but we hope you will join me in congratulating these outstanding student-athletes. SRC is proud of them.” While the forfeiture might be seen as a loss in the traditional sense, the school viewed it as a victory for standing firm in their convictions.
This decision comes amidst growing tension over the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports. Stone Ridge Christian is not alone in its stand. Earlier this year, the Boise State Women’s Volleyball team also refused to play against San Jose State due to a transgender athlete on the roster. The Mountain West Conference recorded the game as a forfeit for Boise State, but the players received praise for their courage to stand by their principles.
David Hookstead, founder of OutKick Sports, praised the Boise State team for making a difficult but necessary decision. “These women deserve to be applauded. It was a team decision to not play against a male dominating everyone else, and they made the decision knowing some people would attack them for it,” Hookstead said, acknowledging the backlash these athletes faced for standing up for fairness in women’s sports.
The growing trend of transgender athletes competing in women’s sports has sparked a national debate over fairness, safety, and the integrity of women’s competitions. Critics argue that allowing biological males to compete against females undermines the achievements of female athletes and puts them at a disadvantage, particularly in physically demanding sports. Proponents of transgender inclusion in sports claim that everyone should be allowed to compete, regardless of their gender identity.
As more schools and sports organizations are forced to confront this issue, the decisions made by institutions like Stone Ridge Christian and Boise State signal a growing movement to protect the integrity of women’s sports and the values that many parents and communities hold dear. These athletes are not just playing for a win on the court—they are standing up for what they believe to be right in the face of increasing pressure to conform.
In an era where personal convictions are often sacrificed in the name of political correctness, Stone Ridge Christian’s stand is a reminder that there are still those willing to defend the timeless truths that have guided this country for generations.
