Transgender Athlete’s Victory Sparks Debate in Pennsylvania High School Track

Luce Allen, a senior transgender athlete at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School in Pennsylvania, recently secured a victory in the 200-meter race at a Suburban One League (SOL) American Conference track meet. Allen’s winning time of 25.20 seconds, a personal best, edged out a freshman biological female competitor by a narrow margin of less than two-tenths of a second. This win, coupled with Allen’s five other victories this season, including a win in the liberty girls 4×400-meter relay at the same meet, has reignited the ongoing debate surrounding the participation of transgender athletes in scholastic sports.

The debate centers on the perceived fairness and competitive equity when transgender athletes, particularly transgender women, compete against cisgender female athletes. Critics argue that biological males, even after transitioning and undergoing hormone therapy, may retain inherent physical advantages that give them an unfair edge in athletic competitions. Supporters of transgender inclusion, on the other hand, emphasize the importance of inclusivity and the potential harm caused by excluding transgender individuals from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity.

Allen’s case has become a focal point in this debate, particularly in Pennsylvania, where the issue of transgender athletes in sports gained national attention with the emergence of Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania who won a Division I national championship in 2022.

While Allen’s recent victory has sparked controversy, it’s important to consider the context of Allen’s athletic performance. According to data from athletic.net, Allen has been competing against girls since her sophomore year in 2023. In 2022, Allen’s freshman year, no athlete with the last name "Allen" was listed on either the boys’ or girls’ track rosters.

Furthermore, it’s noteworthy that Allen’s winning time of 25.20 seconds would have placed her among the slowest male runners in the same meet. The winning times for the boys’ 200-meter race were significantly faster, clocking in at 21.72 and 21.96 seconds. This comparison highlights the significant performance gap that can exist between male and female athletes, even after hormone therapy.

The debate surrounding transgender athletes in sports has extended beyond the realm of athletic competition and has become a subject of legal and political contention. In March, a lawyer read a statement from Allen at a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) board of directors meeting. In the statement, Allen argued that forcing transgender individuals to compete against those who share their biological sex would be detrimental to their development.

Allen argued that, removing the ability of trans people to compete with a team that corresponds with their gender would strip them of their opportunity to develop as people. They further added that trans athletes, like any other high school athlete, are just kids who want to compete.

Allen’s mother, Sarah Hansen, also spoke at the meeting, emphasizing the importance of allowing Allen to compete as a girl. Hansen said that she and her family have been on a journey for Allen to transition to the girl that she always has been, and having Allen compete against boys would be cruel. Hansen also stated that her child is a female in her heart and soul, and according to her medical labs.

Allen’s team head coach, Christopher Jackson, also voiced his support for Allen at the meeting, stating that Luce’s presence on the team fosters a spirit of unity, sportsmanship, and inclusivity. They are admired for their bravery, work ethic, and unwavering commitment to the sport they love. Hansen also emphasized that Allen is not a male who wants to play against girls, not a predator who wants to find a way into the female locker room, and not a male who isn’t good enough to be a boy. She is a girl.

Despite these arguments in favor of inclusion, some states and organizations have taken steps to restrict the participation of transgender athletes in sports. Former President Donald Trump’s administration issued an executive order aimed at keeping biological males out of girls’ and women’s sports, and the administration initiated a Title IX investigation into the University of Pennsylvania in response to Lia Thomas’s participation on the women’s swimming team.

The debate surrounding transgender athletes in sports raises complex questions about fairness, inclusion, and the rights of transgender individuals. There is no easy solution, and different perspectives and values must be considered. Some suggest implementing different criteria, such as hormone levels, as one way to create a more level playing field. It’s important to foster open and respectful dialogue to find solutions that balance the interests of all athletes while upholding the principles of fairness and inclusivity.