ACLU-WA Comment on Proposed Amendments to Change Eligibility Rules for School Sports

SEATTLE – The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) has proposed two amendments to existing rules regarding eligibility to participate in school sports.  These amendments would require that participants in girls division activities be assigned female at birth and would great a third division, called “open” that any student could participate in. They would replace existing language that states "athletes will participate in programs consistent with their gender identity or the gender most consistently expressed."

ACLU of Washington Legal Director La Rond Baker had this reaction:

"The Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association has successfully administered its existing policy for over a decade.  The policy is consistent with Washington's anti-discrimination laws and policies and respects the right of transgender students to participate in athletics consistent with their gender identity.  The ACLU of Washington encourages WIAA members to uphold existing policy and will be closely monitoring the situation."