WIAA Changes Policy, Bans Transgender Students From Girls Sports
Wisconsin organization says it is following guidance of Trump's executive order.
Transgender pride flags line the sidewalk in Washington, D.C. Ted Eytan (CC BY-SA)
The state organization that oversees most Wisconsin high school athletic programs updated a policy Wednesday to say only athletes, “designated as females at birth” would be allowed to compete in girls sports.
The change by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association comes as the Trump Administration is acting to prohibit transgender women and girls from competing in sports.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Feb. 5 called the “No Men in Women’s Sports Executive Order.”
WIAA cited compliance with federal directives for its change in policy.
“Working in consultation with legal counsel, our Board updated this policy to ensure clarity is provided to our membership as they work to comply with new federal guidance from the White House,” WIAA Executive Director Stephanie Hauser said in a statement.
The board vote is similar to a recent action by the NCAA.
Before the change Wednesday, WIAA’s transgender policy, adopted in 2013, allowed students regardless of the sex they were assigned at birth to participate in sports.
At least two Wisconsin school districts have wanted to pass measures to ban trans athletes from school teams.
Arrowhead Union High School and the New London School Board have both advocated for “saving women’s sports” bills.
Wisconsin legislative Republicans and religious and conservative groups like the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, Wisconsin Family Action and Heritage Action for America have long pushed for a ban on transgender athletes.
In April, Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a bill that would have created a ban.
In his veto message, Evers said he objected to “codifying discrimination into state statute.”
Abigail Swetz, executive director of Fair Wisconsin, said playing sports as a child is all about getting to be a part of a team and being part of being something bigger than yourself.
That is especially important for a trans kid, Swetz said.
“I find this ruling really disappointing and frankly very antithetical to the values that WIAA espouses,” Swetz said. “When a trans kid gets to play on a team where they feel like they belong, that is so important. Especially right now, when the trans community is under attack from a hostile federal government.”
Title IX was originally passed in 1972 to prevent sex discrimination in education, including athletic programs.
This year, the Biden administration updated the law to forbid discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, but Trump’s executive orders since his inauguration rolled back that change.
Editor’s note: This story might be updated further on Wednesday.
WIAA changes policy, now bans transgender students from playing in girls sports was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.
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I’m not sure why supporters of trans athletes keep saying that this is a ban on trans athletes they’re just saying that you have to play in the sport of the sex of which you were born. I do not think people have an issue at all with trans people anymore. I think this is their choice and people should respect that if they want to transition safely. This is not a ban just specifying who it is fair to compete with due to biological advantages at birth which seems reasonable for everybody involved.
“Heritage Action for America have long pushed for a ban on transgender athletes.”
This is a flat out lie they have pushed for the fact that biologically born males should not be allowed to compete with women. How is this Banning trans athletes from Sports?
“Heritage Action for America have long pushed for a ban on transgender athletes.”
having an all out ban on transgender athletes is again the american way of all or nothing. there are studies showing that the testosterone level drops significantly after two years of hormone therapy. essentially, making all the players equal at least in gender. a whole big ban on what? a small number of students who play sports. are boys afraid of previous girls???
This is another outrageous example of demonizing helpless victim. Note, that POTUS 47 signed an executive order “No Men in Women’s Sports” but we’re talking about children participating in WIAA activities– boys and girls still in school, not adult men and women.
I’ll keep asking til someone answers: if there is no physical advantage then why bother having mens and womens categories at all?