A policy in Connecticut allows male to female transgender high school students to compete in sports alongside biologically born females, but the US Education Department has deemed this a violation of ‘female athletes’ rights.
Last year, cisgender female track athletes raised concerns that transgender athletes had an unfair advantage due to their physical differences. The US Education Department’s civil rights department issued a letter, now reported by the Associated Press, outlining their decision on this matter.
In a lengthy 45-page document, it was made clear that there could be potential consequences such as withdrawing federal funding from the state’s education system on the basis that it defies Title IX, a rule that ensures gender equality in educational opportunities, including sports activities for women in high school.
Dated May 15th, the letter argues that the policy “deprives female student-athletes of sporting benefits and opportunities, such as advancing to event finals, competing at higher levels, receiving awards, medals, recognition, and the chance for greater exposure to colleges and other perks.”
The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference defended its policy by asserting its alignment with state laws that prohibit discrimination against transgender students.
For more sports updates, visit this link.
