The WIAA Representative Assembly finalized two amendments on Monday that would impact transgender student-athletes.
While representatives didn’t make many edits to the proposed amendments, their discussion made it clear on where they stand on this issue.
One of the proposed amendments would limit girls sports to only those whose biological sex is female.
The second amendment proposes there be three categories: girls, boys and an ‘open division’ for all students interested.
A few members of the WIAA’s representative assembly voiced their concerns about limiting girls sports to students assigned female at birth.
“I believe that it currently violates state law. I don’t believe that we should be asked as athletic directors to vote on something that currently violates state law,” said Lauren McDaniel, District Athletic Director for Central Kitsap High School.
Superintendent of Lynden School District, David VanderYacht, disagreed.
“If we are going to continue to place a value on sex separated sports intended to provide fair and equitable opportunity for girl athletes, which I believe is the original intent of Title Nine, then this topic deserves our discussion,” he said.
VanderYacht said many in his community were concerned after a transgender student athlete at East Valley won the 2a girls 400-meter run in May.
He also acknowledged that this is a sensitive topic and that transgender athletes also need protection.
“We want our transgender athletes and students to be accepted by their peer group, to be welcomed into their peer groups. We have a responsibility to create those environments in our schools, and we must be committed to supporting those students,” VanderYacht said.
At one point during the meeting, a motion to withdraw the amendments from voting changed to tabling the amendments until 2026. That motion ultimately failed.
Both amendments will now be voted upon in April.
If one or both of the amendments were to pass, WIAA said it still cannot implement them if they are deemed to not be in compliance with Washington’s state law against discrimination.
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