Washington Girls Protest Transgender Athlete by Walking Off Cross-Country Race

Several female runners in Washington state chose to walk away from a cross-country race on Tuesday rather than compete against an athlete who had recently switched from the boys' team to the girls' team. The protest, involving about a dozen girls from Camas High School, gained attention after footage circulated on social media.

Holly Burns, one of the runners, initially hesitated to protest but was influenced when her teammates expressed similar concerns. Her parents, Kevin and Sarah Burns, supported their daughter's decision, emphasizing the importance of fairness in competition. They stated that while their daughter wanted to avoid controversy, the collective decision of her teammates led to the protest.

The race took place on October 13 between Camas High School and Battle Ground High School at the Underwriters Lab campus. The Burnses learned of the athlete’s transition to the girls' competition shortly before the event, raising concerns about the impact on their daughter and her teammates. "You hear about it, but you just never think it’s going to be on your kid’s small cross-country team," Sarah Burns said.

Camas School District has stated that it adheres to Washington state laws and the eligibility rules set by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). However, the parents of the protesting runners believe these policies do not adequately address their concerns about fair competition.

Kevin Burns described an incident where school security challenged him for holding a protest sign, leading to a debate about free expression on event property. "They said that we’re not allowed to hold up signs at this event today," he recounted. "I questioned them if that was constitutionally legal... And in the end, it didn’t seem like they really had a grasp on what they could tell us to do or not."

Other parents approached the Burnses, with some offering support and others expressing agreement but fear of potential repercussions for speaking out. Sarah Burns recounted an interaction with an individual who identified as a psychiatric nurse and criticized her for protesting.

The protesting girls acknowledged that some teammates chose to compete to preserve their chances of qualifying for postseason meets. They expressed that each athlete must make her own decision, recognizing the personal costs associated with standing up for one's beliefs.

This incident occurs as Washington voters prepare to decide on Initiative 638 on November 3. The initiative proposes to prohibit students identified as biologically male from competing in certain female-only athletic competitions and would require verification of biological sex from a healthcare provider. If passed, the measure would take effect 30 days after the election, potentially after the state's cross-country championships scheduled for November 7.

Records show the athlete in question participated in a boys' junior varsity race on September 5 in Oregon before competing in a girls' race at a Camas meet on September 15. The Burnses maintained that the athlete should compete with boys, stating, "Their child has every right to participate in the boys athletics, just like they did at the beginning of the season, but it’s not fair to the girls."

The parents emphasized that the consequences of altered competition dynamics are significant, even at the high school level, potentially undermining years of hard work and dedication by female athletes. "It erases everything they’ve done," Kevin Burns said.

The dispute is part of a larger national conversation regarding transgender athletes in sports. In February 2025, former President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing federal agencies to protect female athletic opportunities and prioritize Title IX enforcement. In April 2025, federal officials initiated an investigation into Washington's Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction concerning its policies.

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal has defended Washington's approach, stating the state has permitted student participation consistent with their gender identity since 2007 and will continue to do so unless legal requirements change. A separate WIAA dispute involving a high school wrestler has reached the Supreme Court, requesting emergency relief to avoid competing against male athletes without penalty.

The Burnses indicated plans to continue their activism, possibly organizing more formal protests. "Definitely. Yeah, we will," Kevin Burns said when asked about returning with more signs and shirts. They hope their actions can contribute to broader policy changes, emphasizing the need to protect women's spaces and athletic opportunities.

"Don’t be afraid," they urged other families. "Stand up for girls’ rights. Girls need their own space. They need their sports. They need their athletics."