Take Action NOW to Protect Trans Youth!
Make your voice heard, contact your WIAA representatives and tell them to VOTE NO on Amendments 7 & 8.
What is the WIAA?
“The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) service organization and rule-making body that was formed in 1905 to create equitable playing conditions between high school sports teams in Washington. The Association consists of nearly 800 member high schools and middle/junior high schools, both public and private, and is divided into six geographic service districts. The state staff administers Association policies, rules and regulations and provides other assistance and service to member schools.” “The WIAA oversees athletics and fine arts in Washington state and hosts 120 WIAA state championship events for the following sports and activities: baseball, basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross country, dance/drill, debate, drama, football, golf, gymnastics, music, softball, swimming & diving, soccer, tennis, track & field, volleyball and wrestling.”
Background
The WIAA began allowing transgender students to participate in school sports consistent with their gender identity in 2007.
In 2024, Verónica García was the first Washington transgender athlete to win a high school state track championship.
This victory, the first in 17 years of having this policy, triggered hostile school districts across Washington State to pressure the WIAA to add amendments to their current athletics policy that discriminate against transgender youth, specifically targeting transgender girls. According to Mick Hoffman, the WIAA Executive Director, the WIAA is currently only aware of five transgender athletes, total, in the state of Washington.
The WIAA's Amendment #7 would change the Boys league to "Boys/Open" and prohibit transgender girls from playing in the girls league. It also requires an original birth certificate or affidavit from a licensed physician to prove a child's assigned sex at birth, with intersex students considered on a case-by-case basis.
Amendment #8 would create an additional "Open" league separate from the current "Boys" and "Girls" leagues.
These amendments would violate State law, so right now, the WIAA Executive Board is planning to vote on these amendments as an “Advisory Vote,” and these amendments will not be implemented in August, unless State law changes. We need to show up for trans girls, and not let this slip by. We need to let our reps know that this is nothing but cruelty, fueled by misinformation and hate, against children who just want to play.
School Districts that fought for Amendment 7: Lynden School District Blaine School District Brewster School District Cashmere School District Colville School District Grand Coulee Dam School District Lake Chelan School District Lynden Christian School Mansfield School District Mead School District Okanogan School District Omak School District Oroville School District Tonasket School District
School Districts that fought for Amendment 8: Eastmont School District Cashmere School District Colville School District Lynden School District Mead School District Moses Lake School District Thorp School District
Contact the WIAA expressing your support for their CURRENT gender-inclusive policy for our sports.
Tell your reps to vote NO on Amendments 7 and 8.
When writing to your representatives for your REGION and DISTRICT, make sure to include the WIAA Executive Director Mick Hoffman (mhoffman@wiaa.com) and their DEI contact Justin Kesterson (jkesterson@wiaa.com) so that there is a record of you contacting your reps.
Their current policy is in compliance with State law, and they should not be voting on amendments that are illegal in Washington State. This vote is "Advisory Only" and WIAA officials claim that the amendments won't be implemented when they update their policies in August, unless State law changes. Tell your reps to vote NO on Amendments 7 and 8!
Find your WIAA Representative
District One
Harlan Kredit
Lynden Christian
*Contact Unavailable*
Instead contact WIAA Executive Director and WIAA DEI Lead at: mhoffman@wiaa.com &
District Four
District Two
District Three
District Five
District Six (Spokane & Eastern WA!)
Region A-1
Cathy Schick
Athletic Director, Seattle Academy
cschick@seattleacademy.org
Region A-2
Region B-1
Wendy Malich
Athletic Director, Peninsula School District
athletics@psd401.net
Region B-2
Region C-1
Region C-2
Region C-3
David Blakney
Principal Wapato HS
Contact David Blakney
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These amendments are illegal under Washington State law. "Advisory Vote" or not - these amendments open up the W.I.A.A. to costly lawsuits. This would also further embolden those in favor of the current onslaught of anti-trans hate and violence, with the potential of influencing school districts to start, or double-down on, discriminating against trans students.
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Athletic advantages vary for ALL athletes, this is the nature of competitive sports. Boys that are naturally taller have a physical advantage over shorter boys, in regard to many sports. Does that mean shorter boys need a league of their own? Factors like access to diverse nutrition, food security, housing stability, supportive parents, quality coaches, disciplined & consistent practice, specialized training from private coaches, familial financial status, and mental well-being are all factors that influence an athlete's performance. Transgender girls are at a unique DISADVANTAGE compared to cisgender girls, because of the constant slew of hatred and violence directed towards them and how that impacts an athlete's performance, because, not surprisingly - mental health is a HUGE indicator of athletic performance!
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Sources:
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Compilation of Resources - Inclusion of Trans Athletes, Schuyler Bailar
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Rogers, Davis L et al. “How Mental Health Affects Injury Risk and Outcomes in Athletes.” Sports health vol. 16,2 (2024): 222-229. doi:10.1177/19417381231179678
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As of 2022, there's only an estimated 5,000 youth ages 13-17 in Washington State, and that's grouping trans girls, boys, and nonbinary youth together. The WIAA has admitted that they are only aware of five transgender athletes TOTAL in Washington State. The creation of a league that alienates trans youth is absurd given how few trans student athletes there are. It's unnecessary, cruel, and relies on misinformation to spread fear and panic over a non-issue.
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Sources:
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WIAA admits to knowing of only 5 transgender athletes in WA, Seattle Times, February 2025
- Transgender Youth in WA State, Williams Institute, 2022
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REMINDER: When writing to your representatives for your REGION and DISTRICT, make sure to include the WIAA Executive Director Mick Hoffman (mhoffman@wiaa.com) and their DEI contact Justin Kesterson (jkesterson@wiaa.com) so that there is a record of you contacting your representatives.