Democratic Lawmaker Denies Allegations of Staffer Throwing Out Girls' Letters on Trans Athlete Ban

Nevada families and young female athletes gathered at the state capitol in Carson City this Tuesday, passionately advocating for a resolution to keep transgender athletes out of girls' sports. Two bills addressing this controversial issue are currently proposed in the legislature but haven't found favor with the Democrat majority, which has yet to signal interest in holding hearings.

However, the day took a dramatic turn when allegations surfaced against a staffer from Democratic Assemblymember Elaine Marzola's office. According to two girls and a witness, this staffer reportedly crumpled and tossed out letters meant to lobby Marzola for support of the bill. Marzola has categorically denied the allegations, calling them lies, while another government employee also disputed the claims.

Ava Chavez, a 13-year-old middle school volleyball player, recounted her experience competing against a biological male and penned an emotional letter pleading lawmakers to support AB240. The letter highlighted her fears of injury due to the physical differences between male and female athletes, concluding with a heartfelt appeal to protect girls in sports.

Chavez claims she saw the staffer discard her letter into the trash. "When I walked in, she took my paper and slid it into the trash can," Chavez said. The situation reportedly repeated itself with letters left by other girls, leading to further frustration.

Another athlete, 17-year-old Kendall Lewis, who has also competed against trans athletes, corroborated Chavez's account, alleging her own letter was crumpled and disregarded. Both girls were part of a group led by former University of Nevada volleyball player Sia Liilii, who has been vocal in opposing trans inclusion in women's sports.

Marzola strongly denied the accusations, stating her staff treated the girls with respect and placed the letters in a secure office mailbox. "The allegations against my staff and I are blatant lies," Marzola said in her statement, suggesting the witnesses may be mistaken.

Liilii, however, questioned Marzola's response, calling it "questionable" and urging her to consider the perspectives of the girls who were simply advocating for single-sex sports spaces. The tension highlights the deep divide over this issue, with emotions running high on both sides.

Trans inclusion in sports remains a contentious topic nationwide, and Nevada's constitutional revision in 2022, which added gender identity protections, has only intensified the debate. For athletes like Chavez and Lewis, the stakes feel personal and immediate, as they continue to navigate the challenges posed by these policies.