WASHINGTON — Transgender girls in Washington State will no longer be able to participate on all-girls teams in school sports.
This follows voters’ approval of Initiative 638. The Associated Press says the measure passed with 56.6% of the vote as of Nov. 5.
The new rules take effect on Dec. 3, according to the state’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The ballot measure that voters passed prohibits “biologically male students from competing with and against female students” on teams designated for girls, or in individual sporting events meant for females.
It also requires a girl’s health care provider to verify on a form what her “biological sex” is.
Frances Staudt has fought for the measure after competing with a trans athlete while she was in Tumwater High School.
“When I was 15 years old, there was an 18-year-old man in my locker room. He was also competing against my girls basketball team. And so because of that, I chose to sit out. I was very uncomfortable with the situation,” Staudt said.
Supporters of the new rules say it’s also about fairness. They say transgender girls have an unfair advantage.
But Pattie Hearn, who heads Seattle Pride, worries about the toll I-638 will take on trans youth, who are only seeking to belong.
“I think for trans kids, they’re hearing like, my right to exist is in the space and right now it’s in sports. But of course they’re wondering if that can be extended to other places. My right to exist there is being questioned, debated. There are adults sitting around talking to each other about whether I’m valid or about whether I can be here,” Hearn said.
She believes it will likely be challenged in court.
The ACLU said in a statement: “We will explore all potential next steps to uphold the rights of transgender girls and their access to school sports.”
Legal experts tell KIRO that the ban might be challenged on the grounds that it may violate laws on discrimination and equal rights, while the civil and human rights group Gender Justice League says requiring students to undergo an exam and prove they are biological females may violate privacy laws.