Wednesday, the South Whidbey School Board unanimously voted to oppose two amendments that would exclude transgender athletes from participating in interscholastic girls sports.

Recently, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, also known as “WIAA,” sent to school districts some proposed amendments to its handbook, which currently allows students to participate in sports and other interscholastic activities based on the gender they identify with.

If the amendments are approved in April, athletes who were not born biologically female won’t be allowed to compete with girls who were, while anyone — regardless of their anatomy and identity — would be allowed to participate in a new category, the “boys/open” category.

The request was submitted by 14 school districts, including the Lynden School District, the Lynden Christian School and the Blaine School District from the neighboring Whatcom County.

While the WIAA has yet to make a decision, superintendents and athletic directors can submit a partial vote to indicate where their district stands, according to Superintendent Jo Moccia, who, for the sake of transparency, asked the board to choose how she and the athletic director should vote. She also reiterated the district’s commitment to gender inclusivity, which according to the board policy extends to athletics.

The proposed amendments were received with concern by the student representatives, the board members and most of the audience attending, with a lone voice that was in favor of the changes.

According to the proposal’s rationale, limiting the girls category to athletes assigned female at birth allows for fair and equitable competition, addressing concerns about potential physical advantages in boys and trans girls and the safety of girls assigned female at birth.

Board Member Andrea Downs, a woman who was born biologically female, said the amendments fail to recognize that humans come in all shapes, sizes and abilities, and that a “biological female” is not necessarily weaker than a “biological male,” using herself as an example.

Reaching the height of 6’1” at the age of 14, Downs played as a lineman on the boys football team and was better at squatting and bench pressing than her male peers until her sophomore year, she recalled.

Following numerous comments from community members asking the district to support its trans and non-binary kids, a man, Rufus Rose, came forward asking the board to support the proposed changes as he said there are clear distinctions between males and females.

In response to Downs’ athletic background, Rose asked rhetorically why she stopped playing football, but was quickly interrupted when he added that she was still “big” but “very attractive.”

“I’m sorry I called you pretty. I really take it back,” he said. “I have opinions that I have the right to express. You may disagree with me, but I don’t like being lectured like that.”

Rose claimed that including trans athletes in girls sports would lead to injuries and loss of medals and opportunities for those born biologically female.

“Why not have just one team?” he asked. “There are obvious reasons, and you’re not willing to acknowledge them.”

Student Representative and Washington State School Directors’ Association Student Representatives Network President Carter McKnight invited the board and the audience to put themselves in the shoes of a student who wants to sign up for a sport they have been practicing before, only to find out that they can no longer do so.

“That is discrimination at the highest quality,” he said. “This is something that would harm our students and students across the state.”

While stating that “all students are encouraged to participate in WIAA athletics and/or activities,” the amendments would limit options for athletes, regardless of their sex and gender identity.

The girls-only category sports are basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, fastpitch softball, slowpitch softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball and wrestling.

The boys/open category lists baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, dance/drill, football, golf, soccer, swimming/diving, tennis, track and field and wrestling.

According to the proposal, an athlete’s biological sex would be verified with a birth certificate or an affidavit from a licensed physician.

Board Member Joe Greenheron said he worries athletes would need to go through anatomy inspections to prove they were born biologically female, while Board President Brook Willeford said an athlete’s talent could be discredited if she is too good. He recalled the case of Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer who was falsely accused of being a man or a trans woman after defeating her opponent in 46 seconds.

McKnight pointed out the changes would create barriers for intersex athletes, who are born with both male and female sex characteristics. In fact, according to the proposal, intersex athletes would need to submit an appeal, which would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

While disapproving of the proposal for “stripping” the athletes of their dignity by “invalidating their identities and experiences,” Board Member Marnie Jackson also questioned its legality.

Moccia quoted the Washington Law Against Discrimination, which prohibits the discrimination of people based on their gender and sex, among other things. Because she said the amendments violate state law, she doesn’t see them being implemented.

Board Member Ann Johnson said trans and nonbinary people have always existed, and the district should protect them regardless of what the law says.

Downs asked if the district could still stand with its students in case the WIAA approves the amendment despite the district’s no vote, providing students with “an athletic experience that does not violate their dignity.” She would also be interested in exploring the possibility of hosting athletics outside of the WIAA, if other districts are willing to join.

While it might be soon to invest district resources, Jackson suggested seeking legal counsel to challenge the legality of the amendments if they do get approved and submitting the vote with a letter detailing the harm the changes would cause, to which the board agreed.