Another state bans trans athletes from girls’ high school sports teams

No more males will compete in Virginia girls’ high school sports.

The Virginia High School League (VHSL) announced Monday it will comply with the “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order President Donald Trump signed last week, directing its 318 member schools representing 177,000 students to adopt similar policies.

“Our member schools look to and rely on the VHSL for policy and guidance. To that end, the VHSL will comply with the Executive Order,” its executive director, Dr. John W. Haun, told WHSV. “The compliance will provide membership clear and consistent direction.”

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin praised the decision.

“Common sense wins!” the Republican posted on X. “Today, the governing bodies for Virginia’s public and private high school athletics announced they would follow President Trump’s EO to protect girls’ sports.”

Other state officials also rejoiced.

“Whether to stand with female student-athletes should have never been a question,” Attorney General Jason Miyares posted on X. “VHSL has wisely chosen to follow President Trump’s executive order to keep men out of girls’ sports.”

Former state Attorney General Mark Earley praised Youngkin and Miyares for their advocacy on the issue.

“Big win for fairness and common sense,” he posted on X. “This is the right decision by these governing bodies. Thank you @GlennYoungkin @winwithwinsome & @JasonMiyaresVA for being consistent voices in the right direction.” 

And Virginia Delegate Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper, reacted to the news with an X post asking rhetorically, “Tired of winning yet?” 

Last week, Youngkin called on the league to make the policy change, arguing that ignoring Trump’s EO would cost the state education funding. 

“Biological boys should not be competing against girls,” he posted. “This is just common sense. The Virginia High School League must change course immediately just like the NCAA. Virginia schools are at risk of losing millions of dollars in federal school funding if the VHSL doesn’t comply with President Trump’s Executive Order protecting girls’ sports.” 

The NCAA announced last week that it would no longer allow males to compete in women’s sports. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association followed suit. 

The VHSL has had at least 42 transgender-identifying athletes compete on opposite-sex teams since 2014, according to 13 News. Of the 29 cases in the past four years, 20 were females competing on boys’ teams and nine were males competing on girls’ teams, the report said.