Transgender Athletes in Girls’ Sports: Washington Superintendent Defends Inclusion
Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal has expressed his support for the rights of transgender athletes to participate in girls’ sports. In an address on Thursday, Reykdal refuted the notion that there are only two genders, citing scientific evidence and the state’s legal obligations to protect the civil rights of all students.
Challenging the "Two-Gender" Paradigm
"It is quite simply inaccurate to say, biologically, that there are only boys and there are only girls," Reykdal said. "There’s a continuum. There’s a science to this. There are children who are born intersex. There are children whose hormones and whose chromosomes are not consistent with their sex at birth."
Reykdal emphasized that this is not a matter of debate, and stressed the importance of recognizing the diversity of human biology.
Legal Obligations and State Laws
Reykdal reminded his audience of the state’s legal obligations to protect the rights of all children, including transgender students. He stated that state laws make it clear that children can identify and participate in activities based on their gender identity.
"We’re going to uphold that law," Reykdal said. "If we can’t accommodate the needs of five or 10 people — whether there’s privacy access for and a privacy opportunity for all students, that’s what our laws and rules say — if we can’t do that then who are we?"
Trump’s Executive Order and Congressional Authority
Reykdal criticized President Donald Trump’s executive order prohibiting schools from allowing trans athletes to compete in girls’ sports, arguing that the president does not have the authority to impose such a ban. However, he acknowledged that the U.S. Congress does have the power to change the law.
The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, a bill that would implement requirements similar to Trump’s order, has already passed the House of Representatives but has yet to be voted on by the Senate.
Washington’s Transgender Athlete Policy
Washington high school athletes are currently allowed to compete based on their gender identity rather than their biological sex. The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) policy states that each athlete will participate in programs "consistent with their gender identity or the gender most consistently expressed."
Concerns and Proposed Solutions
Despite the state’s inclusive policy, concerns have been raised by some residents about the potential unfairness of transgender girls competing in girls’ sports. In response, the WIAA has proposed creating a separate open division for transgender athletes to compete in.
Central Valley School Board Resolution
The Central Valley School Board, which oversees schools in Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake, Washington, recently voted to send a message to the WIAA expressing their support for equity and safety in female sports. The resolution claims that the entire board is comprised of female members who have either competed in athletics themselves or have daughters who competed in athletics.
Recent Events
A civil rights complaint was recently filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights on behalf of a teenage girl in Washington state who was allegedly punished for refusing to play a basketball game against a trans athlete.
The complaint alleges that the Tumwater School District is investigating 15-year-old Frances Staudt for "misgendering" the opponent and violating the district’s policies against bullying and harassment.
President Trump’s Department of Education has also launched Title IX investigations into state high school athletic conferences in California, Minnesota, and Maine for their refusal to comply with his executive order.
