WASHINGTON — The WIAA announced it has proposed an amendment to create a separate athletic program for transgender student-athletes.
According to the WIAA, the proposed amendment would help clarify rules for trans student-athletes. The proposal would establish an “open division” for athletes wishing to compete based on their gender identity, while maintaining separate divisions for boys’ and girls’ sports.
The WIAA’s proposal states that girls’ sports would be restricted to athletes assigned female at birth, due to concerns about physical advantages in competition. Trans athletes could participate in the open division, which would be available to all students regardless of gender identity.
In the proposal, supporters argue that the policy would ensure fair competition and inclusivity. However, critics raise concerns about potential discrimination and legal challenges. The WIAA also notes questions about implementing an appeal process, which could involve medical evaluations, and how the policy would apply to intersex athletes.
“By designating an open division category for sports, this amendment will preserve the equality of opportunity to participate in athletics while simultaneously creating a delineating category for different genders: boys versus boys; girls versus girls; and transgender versus transgender or transgender versus nonbinary,” the proposal states.
Several school districts in Washington state have expressed support for the amendment, including Eastmont, Cashmere, Colville, Lynden, Mead, Moses Lake and Thorp school districts.
