Supreme Court petitioned over Washington transgender sports policy

A female high school wrestler in Washington has petitioned the Supreme Court to intervene in a lawsuit regarding state policies that allow biological males to compete in women’s sports. The plaintiff, Kallie Keeler, alleges that the state’s policy violates Title IX and claims she was sexually assaulted by a male competitor during a wrestling tournament. Represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, Keeler is seeking an emergency order to either halt the policy or allow her to opt out of competing against male athletes without penalty. Both federal district and appeals courts previously denied her requests.

In related developments within Washington state high school athletics, protests have emerged regarding gender policies in sports. At a cross country meet involving Skyview High and Camas High, two student-athletes walked away from a race after using body paint to protest the inclusion of male runners in girls' competitions. Additionally, a parent was served a criminal trespass notice following protests against the participation of transgender athletes in female sporting events. These incidents occur as Washington voters consider an initiative that would ban biological males from participating in girls' sports.