Proposals to amend participation eligibility for transgender high school student-athletes in Washington have recently encountered obstacles. Two amendments intended to modify current policies fell short in a vote conducted by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s (WIAA) representative assembly. Neither amendment reached the required 60 percent approval threshold, with the voting results disclosed on Monday.
Initially presented as binding changes, both amendments were ultimately reduced to “advisory votes only” because they conflicted with existing Washington state law. Consequently, even if approved, the changes would not have been implemented for the 2025-26 school year. One proposal, which affected middle and high school athletes, nearly passed, while the other did not garner significant support.
Amendment No. 7, which proposed that participation in girls’ sports be restricted to individuals born biologically female and required transgender athletes born biologically male to compete in a “boys/open” division, achieved 58.5 percent support with 31 votes in favor and 22 against. This fell just short of the necessary 60 percent. In contrast, Amendment No. 8 sought to introduce a separate division for transgender athletes alongside existing divisions for boys and girls, but only received 24.5 percent approval.
The WIAA emphasized its commitment to adhering to Washington state law, stating that any future changes in legislation would guide policy revisions. The organization allows students to participate in sports corresponding to the gender they most consistently express, in accordance with state law preventing discrimination, which includes protection for transgender identities in public schools.
The transgender-athlete issue has attracted renewed attention following a transgender athlete’s victory at the state track and field championships in Tacoma. This has fueled calls for policy changes, driven by concerns over perceived competitive advantages for transgender females who have undergone male puberty.
Some school districts, such as the Lynden School District, have actively voiced their desire for policy reform. The district’s superintendent expressed the need for a workable solution that respects the dignity of all students while addressing concerns about fairness in girls’ sports.
Despite the rejection of both amendments, it is anticipated that a revised or similar version of Amendment No. 7 may be reconsidered in the upcoming spring ballot. Meanwhile, other amendments have been successfully adopted, including the official recognition of girls’ flag football as a WIAA sport and the relaxation of existing transfer rules.