Write to the Point
Boys are boys and girls are girls. There’s no in-between, at least when it comes to sports.
I know it’s not politically correct to say that in this day and age. But genetically (and generally) speaking, boys are stronger and faster than girls.
As a result, we have separate sports for each gender. That is, unless your young athlete competes for a middle or high school, or a non-profit organization in Washington state. Here, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association allows boys who “identify” as girls to compete in girls’ sports, and vice versa in scholastic sports. And most non-profits follow suit.
But is it fair that a “transgender” boy be allowed to compete in scholastic athletics as a girl, when genetic differences create an unfair advantage?
I don’t think so. And neither does Rep. Brad Klippert, R-Kennewick.
Klippert prefiled House Bill 2201 in December, prior to the start of the current legislative session. Here we are two months later, and the bill — referred to the House education committee — hasn’t even been able to get a hearing.
A bill to name a state dinosaur got a public hearing. And so did a bill to designate a state clam. But not a bill that requires those born with boy parts to compete in boys’ sports.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. This year, the Legislature was all too quick to take up a controversial “inclusive” sex education bill that mandated curriculum beginning with kindergarten.
Having wrestled, reffed and coached the sport for 40 years of my life, I can tell you there are distinct differences between boys and girls.
This season, one of my young wrestlers is competing for Housel Middle School in Prosser. As of this writing, she’s 2-2 on the season. Her wins — a pin and a tech fall over other girls. Her losses — a pin and a tech fall to boys.
She’s a fair wrestler, maybe even good. But wrestling against boys who are much stronger (even though they weigh the same) is discouraging her. And I’m sure she’s not alone.
Klippert’s bill is a great first step to keeping the playing field equal for girls.
Under House Bill 2201, schools and non-profit groups “must prohibit male students from competing with and against female students in athletic activities with separate classifications for male and female students if the athletic activity is (a) intended for female students; and (b) An individual competition sport.”
Klippert’s measure defines “male students” to be those born with male parts. No “X.” No “non-binary.” No “gender identity.”
House Bill 2201 still allows girls who want to compete in sports designated for boys — like football — to do so, if they see fit. But it eliminates the potential of boys unfairly competing in girls’ sports.
Unfortunately, the bill appears dead this session. The policy deadline has passed and lawmakers don’t appear to have an appetite to challenge the winds of political correctness blowing against our female athletes.
And the WIAA doesn’t seem too interested in revising its policy either. The organization allows “participation for all students regardless of their gender identity or expression ... irrespective of the gender listed on a student’s records.”
As a competitor, coach, parent and overall sports aficionado, House Bill 2201 makes sense.
Unfortunately, cute bills on dinosaurs and clams seem to be more important in Olympia. Let’s hope the measure is reintroduced in the next legislative session.
Roger Harnack is the publisher of Free Press Publishing. He can be reached at roger@cheneyfreepress.com.
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, columnist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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