Wisconsin high school to allow biological male on girl’s sports team despite parental opposition

A Wisconsin school district announced its decision to allow a transgender high school student to play on a girl’s sports team in the fall, ignoring the concerns of parents.

In a private meeting with parents last week, Abby Tilkens, the Title IX coordinator for the Green Bay Area Public School District, reportedly told parents that if the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association guidelines were met, transgender students would be allowed to play.

“We were told as long as they meet the protocol or procedures in place from the WIAA, the athlete will be participating this fall and that is how things will go,” said Ryan Gusick, a parent who attended the meeting, according to Fox 11 News.

The WIAA policy requires biological males to “have one calendar year of medically documented testosterone suppression therapy to be eligible to participate on a female team.”

Concerned parent Heather Longlais believes the policy is too lenient. 

“The rules are very soft at best,” Longlais said, according to Fox 11. “Transgender people deserve a seat the table. It’s just not necessarily the girls’ table for sports when it’s men going to women.” 

At least three parents have told Fox 11 their daughters won’t be trying out for the team for safety reasons. Local media did not report on which sports team it was, citing the privacy of those involved. 

During this summer’s practices and games, parents have reported their children coming home with bruises and welts from ball strikes from the transgender athlete. 

“They’re just not used to the ball coming at them that hard,” Gusick said. “A lot of these girls are specifically quitting this team because they’re concerned for their safety.”  

The parents say they’re also concerned about the possibility of their children sharing a locker room with a biological male.  

Green Bay’s policy states, “in most cases, a student who is transgender will be permitted to access the men’s/women’s segregated restrooms that correspond to the gender identity that the student consistently asserts at school and in other social environments.” 

“There’s a lot of concern from a fair amount of the girls about that situation in itself,” Gusick said.  

In a statement, the district told parents its decision was made in accordance with applicable laws and policies.  

 “We care about the well-being of every student. All decisions regarding a student’s ability to participate in co-curricular athletics/activities are made in accordance with Title IX law, Board policy, and WIAA regulations.” 

However, some parents and students remain doubtful. 

“The girls are just kind of fed-up hearing that your safety is our top concern from all these people and they’re really doing nothing about it,” said Gusick.