A rule in Virginia that would have restricted transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports has been rescinded.
The decision was made in July but is only now drawing public attention. As reported late last week by ABC affiliate WSET in Lynchburg, former U.S. Attorney John Fishwick says it’s hard to know why the move remained quiet for weeks.
The rule was proposed under former Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin. It would have used a student’s sex at birth to determine eligibility for girls’ sports. Current governor Abigail Spanberger withdrew the proposal.
WSET asked Fishwick what this could mean for our local schools. He says the Virginia High School League rules would still govern public high school sports.
“I think the high school league rules would control if you’re playing in a public high school competition. And that looks to what the birth of the child is. And so if you’re a transgender athlete, transgender girl, you cannot play in girl sports. You would have to play in boy sports,” said Fishwick, adding that a student or parent could challenge the rules in court.
The Virginia High School League handbook states that male students and students identifying as transgender females may not participate on a girls’ sports team. The rule cites a presidential executive order prohibiting male competitive participation in female sports.
