A group of lawmakers is pushing for a change to policies that currently allow boys to compete in girls’ sports after a transgender runner dominated a high school track event. The lawmakers, consisting of 12 women from the Oregon House and Senate Republican Caucuses, are demanding that the Oregon Schools Activities Association (OSAA) revise its policy to only allow biological females to compete in girls’ sports.
The demand comes after a male student, who identifies as transgender, outperformed his female competitors in the girls’ division at the “Sherwood Need for Speed Classic” track meet. The student posted a time of 25.49 seconds in the women’s varsity 200-meter race, beating the next closest runner by 4.5 seconds. Despite being just a sophomore, his time now ranks him as the third-fastest 200-meter dash runner in the state for the girls’ division.
The lawmakers argue that biological males have a clear advantage in girls’ sports and that allowing transgender students to participate in sports that align with their gender identity is unfair. They call for the OSAA to change its policy to protect the equal rights of women in high school sports by only permitting biological females to compete in girls’ sports.
The Republican lawmakers also criticize the current Gender Identity Participation policy of the OSAA, stating that it has sparked outrage and allowed a biological male to set records in female sports. They warn that if the policy is not changed, they will encourage parents to withdraw their daughters from competitions where biologically male athletes are allowed to participate.
In response to the Republican’s letter, the Oregon House Democratic Caucus condemned the attacks against the LGBTQ+ community, calling them predictable, offensive, and dangerous.
Oregon student-athletes should not have to be concerned about politicians using their names to politicize or regulate gender,”
The OSAA refused an interview request from The Epoch Times but mentioned that they will be seeking advice from their legal counsel and executive board before responding to Republican lawmakers.
