State Representative John Carson (R-Marietta) has filed a Title IX gender discrimination complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Atlanta Division. The complaint targets Pope High School’s athletic department, alleging inequitable treatment of female multi-sport athletes on the girls’ varsity and junior varsity basketball teams.
Carson stated, “Over the last several months, I have heard from numerous constituents regarding troubling allegations of gender-based discrimination against female athletes at Pope High School, specifically regarding the girls’ basketball program. Specifically, multi-sport female athletes have reportedly been prohibited from participating on the girls’ varsity and junior varsity basketball teams while participating in other sports simultaneously. This restriction does not apply equally to their male counterparts, many of whom are allowed to play multiple sports simultaneously and openly without consequence. As a result, my office has filed a Title IX violation complaint with the U.S. Dept of Education’s Office of Civil Rights to ensure that these allegations are thoroughly investigated. As I said in my letter to the Cobb County School Board, please let the girls play.”
The issue arose in spring 2025 when new rules were introduced at Pope High School that barred female athletes from playing on the girls’ basketball team if they participated in other school sports at the same time. According to Carson, this policy was not applied to boys’ basketball or other athletic programs at Pope High School.
In response to complaints from constituents, Carson submitted a written grievance with the Cobb County School System on April 28, 2025. He recently escalated his concerns by filing with federal authorities.
Carson is requesting that this rule be reversed so that female multi-sport athletes can participate fully in both basketball and other sports as male athletes are permitted.
Burns is a Republican who was elected to represent Georgia’s 159th House District in 2005 after Ray Holland.
https://www.house.ga.gov/Representatives/en-US/member.aspx?Member=759&Session=27
