SPOKANE, Wash – The Mead School Board will consider a resolution Monday asking the WIAA to reconsider its policies regarding transgender athletes participating in girls’ sports.
If passed, the resolution joins school districts in Eastmont and Lynden School Districts in asking the WIAA to examine how the current policies allow for biological males to compete in high school sports.
The WIAA is the governing body for high school athletics in Washington.
The WIAA policy states “all students should have the opportunity to participate in WIAA athletics and/or activities in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity.”
WIAA says the policy is based on state and federal law.
The policy has been in place for years, but has garnered attention and controversy this year, as the conversation about transgender athletes has become a more visible issue.
The resolution being considered Monday discusses the “inherent biological and physiological differences” that put male students “at an advantage for physical performance in athletic competitions.”
“The Mead School District does not support biological male athletes participating in biological female competition categories,” it says.
The resolution says the WIAA policy “does not provide a safe environment nor does it provide fair opportunities for female athletes in athletic competitions.”
If approved, the district would be asking the WIAA to have an “open dialog and discussion with its membership in order to restore fairness to all student athletes.”
At a previous work session this month, the board indicated it would pass this resolution.
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