Families and educators are asking a court to block a voter-approved measure that would exclude trans girls from girls’ interschool sports and require students entering those competitions to verify their sex.
Washington state has hired an outside law firm to defend its new restrictions on trans girls’ participation in school sports. Attorney General Nick Brown announced on Thursday, 12 November, that Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner would represent the state in the legal challenge to Initiative 638.
Washington voters approved the measure on 3 November. It would generally bar trans girls from girls’ interschool competitions at public schools and at private schools that take part in covered athletics associations. Students entering designated girls’ team or individual events would need a signed statement from their healthcare provider verifying their sex based on reproductive anatomy, genetic makeup or naturally produced testosterone levels.
FAMILIES ASK COURT TO BLOCK THE RULES
The Washington Education Association, TransFamilies and parents of student athletes filed suit in King County Superior Court on 9 November. They argue that the measure discriminates against trans girls and breaches students’ privacy by requiring sex verification for anyone who wants to compete in designated girls’ events. They are seeking an emergency order to stop the measure taking effect on 3 December, Washington time.
Brown said his office had a duty to defend laws approved by voters. He said appointing outside lawyers would allow his office to continue its other work defending the rights of trans people in Washington.
On Friday 13 November, lawyers for Female Athletes United, which supports the initiative, asked the court for permission to join the case and defend the measure.
