John L. Braese
TUMWATER, WA. – While awaiting a vote by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) changing how transgender student athletes compete, a Washington school board has voted to ban transgender girls from participating in girls’ sports.
The vote passed 3-1 during a meeting of the Tumwater School District’s Board of Directors on Thursday, Feb. 27.
This same district is also dealing with a complaint filed after a girls’ basketball player protested playing against a Shelton transgender player.
During a home game in Tumwater, player Frances Staudt expressed concern she could be injured by a Shelton transgender player. Staudt’s family argued the family should have been notified of the transgender player prior to the game allowing time for a decision to be made to play.
During the course of the game, Staudt made the statement ‘You are a man’ towards the Shelton player.
The WIAA ruled Staudt’s action violated its code of ethics. In response, the family filed a complaint with the United States Department of Education.
The family of the transgender student athlete released the following statement.
“As a family we respect anyone who has the guts to stand up for what they believe in. We also respect anyone who has the guts to live their authentic life,” wrote Donnie Rooks. “In this case, those two things are in opposition but it does not change how we feel. Andi, no different than any other person, deserves the dignity of being depicted accurately, especially on such a controversial topic.”
The district’s action comes after President Trump’s executive order banning transgender females from participating in girls’ and women’s sports.
The current WIAA policy allows student athletes to participate based on their gender identity. In April, the WIAA will vote on two proposals, one creating an open division while the second creates three divisions, boys, girls and transgender.
