A Christian school at Vermont that was prohibited from participating in statewide sports programs after it backed out of a girls basketball game because the other team included a six-foot transgender player is suing the state alleging discrimination against it on the basis of its religious beliefs.

The Mid Vermont Christian School, which serves students from pre-K through 12th grade near Quechee, was kicked out of the Vermont Principals Association’s statewide sports league earlier this year after the association changed its policies to require schools to allow athletes to compete on the team that reflects their gender identity instead of their sex at birth. The policy effectively forces female athletes to compete against males in the state regardless of any philosophical or religious objections the schools may harbor.