Alaska Board of Education passes resolution protecting women’s sports

The Alaska State Board of Education voted unanimously on August 31 to prohibit biological males from competing on girls’ sports teams.

The resolution requires a female-only division, a “division for students who identify with either sex or gender,” and an appeals process.

The board also called for the Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) to update its bylaws in accordance with the resolution.

“I’m not convinced that there isn’t a potential safety issue,” said state board member Jeff Erickson. “I am convinced there is a physiological difference for sure. … I think there’s some unfairness.”

Advocates for female athletes have argued that competing against biological males could result in serious physical injury.  

One high school volleyball player from North Carolina was hit in the face by a ball spiked by a transgender opponent, reportedly causing a concussion, neck injury, impaired vision and partial paralysis.  

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy praised the state board for its decision.  

“Thank you to the State Board of Education for acting to protect the opportunity for girls to participate in high school sports in a division that is safe, fair, and competitive,” a statement from the governor reads. “I appreciate board members taking the time to get this regulation right.”  

However, Felix Myers, student advisor to the board, disagreed.  

“This has not been an issue that’s occurred. It doesn’t seem like this is a problem that we need to fix currently,” Myers claimed.  

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Alaska took it one step farther and accused the board of discrimination. 

“The Board has totally disregarded the ways this policy violates the privacy of young Alaskans, and sanctions wholesale discrimination against transgender children,” said Michael Garvey, advocacy director at the ACLU.  

But according to supporters of the new policy, it is logically untenable to say that the policy is unnecessary because there are no transgender athletes in girls’ sports and simultaneously argue that policy will grievously violate the rights of transgender athletes if implemented.  

Paula Scanlan, a college swimmer who competed on the same team as Lia Thomas, also defended Alaska’s regulation.  

“Everyone has the right to and should play sports in school, but they should do so based on sex not self id,” Scanlan tweeted. 

Analysis from UCLA’s Williams Institute estimates that 1.2% (500-600) of Alaska’s youth aged 13-17 identify as transgender.  

Nationwide, roughly 1.6% of teenagers identify as transgender, though those rates decline seriously for older age groups. Overall, only 0.54% of adults identify as transgender.  

Alaska joins the growing number of states passing such policies to protect women’s sports.