The WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) is considering two proposed amendments that would keep transgender athletes from competing in the same division as girls.
The governing body for high school sports in Washington announced on Tuesday that it had proposed two amendments that would make it so girls sports would be limited to students assigned female at birth.
One amendment proposes the creation of a girls division and an “open division,” in which all students could participate, regardless of whether or not their gender identity matches their assigned sex at birth.
The second amendment proposes the creation of a boys division, girls division and an “open division.”
The proposal reads in part:
“The WIAA encourages participation for all students, regardless of their gender identity or expression. Further, most local, state, and federal rules and regulations require schools to provide transgender and other gender-diverse student-athletes with equal opportunities to participate in athletics. However, in order to maintain fair and equitable competition, participation in girls’ sports and girls’ divisions of sports is restricted to students who were assigned female at birth. The purpose of this policy is to offer clarity with respect to the participation of trans and gender-diverse student-athletes. Additionally, this policy encourages a culture in which student- athletes can compete in a safe and supportive environment, free of discrimination.”
The proposal argues restricting girls sports to athletes assigned female at birth ensures a “level playing field” and addresses concerns about potential physical advantages in certain sports.
The proposal outlines both arguments for and against the amendment, with legal challenges and potential risk of discrimination being some of the main cons.
It also mentions the possibility of developing and implementing an appeals process as a “pathway for gender-diverse student-athletes to participate in competition best-aligned to their physiological development.”
Several schools throughout Washington supported the amendments including the Mead, Moses Lake and Colville school districts.
The WIAA will discuss and finalize the proposed amendments during the virtual Winter Coalition on January 27.
To read all of the proposed amendments, click here.
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