State’s transgender policy investigated
The US Federal Office for Civil Rights has launched an investigation into Connecticut’s policy that allows transgender high school athletes to compete as the gender with which they identify.
The investigation was announced in a letter this week from the arm of the US Department of Education. It follows a complaint in June by the families of three girls, who say they were discriminated against by having to compete in track events against two athletes who were identified as male at birth and who they say have ‘‘male hormone levels and musculature’’.
The complaint was submitted on the girls’ behalf by lawyers for the conservative non-profit organisation Alliance Defending Freedom, which contends that transgender girls have an unfair physical advantage and that the state policy violates Title IX, the federal law designed to ensure equal opportunities for women and girls in education, including athletics.
They argue that allowing the transgender athletes to compete has resulted in denying their clients the opportunity to qualify for events such as the New England championships, where they would have been seen by college coaches.
‘‘Girls should never be simply spectators in their own sport; they deserve to compete on a fair playing field,’’ said Selina Soule, a sprinter who has consistently finished behind the two transgender athletes in state championships. ‘‘I hope this important step will help return fairness to the sport I love.’’
The transgender athletes in question – Andraya Yearwood and Terry Miller – have both defended their participation in girls’ events.
Yearwood said in February there are many differences among athletes that may give one a physical advantage over another, and she does not think she has an unfair advantage.
‘‘One high jumper could be taller and have longer legs than another, but the other could have perfect form, and then do better,’’ she said. ‘‘One sprinter could have parents who spend so much money on personal training for their child, which in turn, would cause that child to run faster.’’
Connecticut is one of 17 US states that allow transgender high school athletes to compete without restrictions, according to Transathlete.com, which tracks state policies in high school sports across the United States. –AP