KENNEWICK, Wash. – The Kennewick School Board is supporting a proposed amendment to revise Washington’s rules on gender inclusion in school sports.
On October 22, the Kennewick School Board approved a resolution endorsing an amendment to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) handbook. The amendment, initially proposed by the Lynden School District, seeks to alter the rules on gender inclusion in youth athletics.
The proposal aims to establish new divisions in school sports. It would prevent transgender athletes from joining ‘girls’ teams, instead offering an alternative division to participate in.
“The resolution, ultimately the changes, model Alaska’s interscholastic activities for high school sports,” Kennewick School Board President Gabe Galbraith said. “It would create an open division and it would essentially create a girls division. In the girls division, based on biological sex at birth, open division is open to boys and anyone else who wants to participate.”
The resolution said it looks to promote fairness in girls’ sports and student safety.
“The proposed amendment promotes WIAA’s mission to provide opportunities for all students to excel in athletics, performing arts, and other activities while promoting fair play, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Strengthening all students for life through participation in excellent, fair, safe, and accessible activities,” the resolution said.
Adopting this amendment does not bring immediate changes. Galbraith said the amendment will be reviewed by the WIAA in January and then will require a 60 percent vote from 53 athletic directors across the state in April. If passed, Galbraith said it could be implemented as early as the next school year.
“For the last two years in Kennewick, we’ve been fighting to protect our biological girls in sports and spaces,” Galbraith said. “We did this last year with supporting amendments for changes in the WIAA. We’re back here this year and we’re supporting this amendment, ultimately to try to find a solution that fits everyone.”
The Kennewick School District has supported similar changes in the past two years, though previous proposals did not succeed.
Galbraith noted that six districts have signed the resolution so far and anticipates more will join.
The full resolution can be found here.
