WENATCHEE, Wash – A school district in the Wenatchee area wants lawmakers and the WIAA to change regulations that currently allow high school athletes to participate in sports according to their gender at birth.
The Eastmont School District board of directors drafted a letter to be sent to legislators, calling this “a pressing concern within the community regarding the participation of transgender athletes who are biologically male in sports designated for females.”
The district says the participation “has raised legitimate concerns about fairness, safety, and the competitive balance for female athletes.”
Right now, the WIAA rules say that athletes can participate in a sport based on the gender with which they identify.
The WIAA says its following state and federal law that states “all persons should receive equal treatment, no matter their gender identity and sexual orientation.”
Unlike the NCAA, the WIAA dos not require students to disclose any medical treatment they’re receiving.
Some parents and school districts have raised concerns about this issue, especially this year, as transgender athletes have won competitions at the state level.
A member of the Mead School board told 4 News Now this summer that “the WIAA has put this in place to take away the equal right for women to compete.”
“There is very divergent views on such topics, especially this one in recent years, “said Mike Hoffman, WIAA Executive Director. “And so yes, people will share their opinions. That’s their right, we fully understand. And our attorneys continue to advise that we must follow state law. And so, we follow state law.”
It’s those state laws that the Eastmont School District is calling into question.
In the draft letter presented at this week’s school board meeting, the district asks lawmakers to review the state laws and work with districts on how to navigate the participation of transgender athletes in sports, saying “the guidance should be infirmed by scientific evidence and aim to maintain fair competition for all students.”
The district also asks lawmakers to advocate for fairness, work with school districts to develop inclusive policies, promote awareness and help with education for the community about transgender issues.
The district also drafted a resolution, saying that “the current status of WIAA regulations, Washington State Law and Federal Law is not working for our students” and that “decision makers and elected officials must act to correct our current situation.”
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