Va. High School League policy on trans athletes to remain unchanged
The Virginia High School League, the group that oversees school sports in Virginia, has said it will not change its policy that allows transgender athletes to compete on teams that correspond with their gender identity.
The Virginia Department of Education last week released its updated guidelines for trans and nonbinary students. Republican Virginia Gov.
Glenn Youngkin in a statement said “all children in Virginia deserve to have a parent engaged in their life and to be treated with dignity and respect” and the “updated model policies reaffirm my administration’s continued commitment to ensure that every parent is involved in conversations regarding their child’s education, upbringing and care.” The new guidelines do not specifically address trans and nonbinary student athletes, but the Washington Post on Wednesday reported the policy “suggests students should play on the team that matches their biological sex.” The Virginia High School League in 2014 adopted a policy that allows a student athlete to file an appeal in order to play on a team that corresponds with their gender identity.
Virginia High School League Executive Director Billy Haun told the Post his group does not plan to change the policy. “As the VHSL fall sport season begins this week, I am recommending the league stay with the current policy which has served us well,” wrote Haun on Monday in a memo. “We certainly will respect the decision of any school division as they address their policies and will continue to review this matter as we move forward and the new school year begins.” A Virginia Senate subcommittee earlier this year tabled a bill that would have banned trans students from joining school sports teams consistent with their gender identity.
