Washington state voters will decide on Initiative 638, a ballot measure that would prohibit biological males from competing in girls' K-12 sports. The push for the initiative gained traction after a biological male runner on Camas High's girls' cross-country team reportedly displaced another girl from advancing to the state competition.
The controversy came to a head at a regional meet where a Camas High runner finished seventh, a position that would have qualified a girl from Puyallup High for the state competition. The Puyallup team ultimately did not advance. The Camas runner had joined the girls' team midseason, having previously competed on the boys' team where he had less success.
Fathers of some runners expressed outrage. Joel Retzlaff, father of Skyview High runner Sierra Retzlaff, was quoted yelling "That's a man!" when the Camas runner's name was announced. He and other parents have publicly opposed biological males competing in girls' sports.
Supporters of Initiative 638 argue that the measure is necessary to ensure fairness and safety for female athletes. Carol Brown, a three-time Olympian, stated that she fought for Title IX to allow women in sports and believes that fairness and safety in sports must be based on sex. "The girls put in work, and what I find the hardest to accept is that everyone is saying the girls' voices don't matter, their emotions don't matter, their hard work and once again, like 100 years ago took a second seat to the males," Brown said.
Jasmin Faulk, executive director of Women's Liberation Front (WOLF), also voiced support, emphasizing that the issue is about fairness and safety for women and girls. "This one's an easy one for us to stand by," Faulk commented.
Others expressed similar sentiments. Dawn Land, holding a sign that read "Girls deserve fair sports!", called the situation "grossly unfair" and criticized the adults who allowed it to happen. Some athletes and parents, fearing reprisal, declined to be named but shared their concerns about the impact on female athletes' opportunities.
Initiative 638 aims to address these concerns by establishing a clear prohibition against biological males participating in girls' sports at the K-12 level. Supporters are urging voters to approve the measure to uphold fairness in women's athletics.