UPDATE
Will boys be allowed to play on girls’ teams in Montana under a new transgender student athlete proposal? Simply put- no. Or at least, not anytime soon.
From the Montana High School Association (MHSA) Thursday afternoon:
In reference to the gender identity proposal that is slated to be considered, the proposal was brought forward by the Executive Board with the intent to be proactive regarding emerging questions from some districts about transgender participation in extracurricular activities. However, straw polls at various regional administrative meetings recently held throughout the state tend to indicate an overall lack of support for this amendment. A poll of the MHSA Executive Board indicates they intend to withdraw the proposal based on insufficient support required to achieve a two-thirds majority of members present and voting. All Annual Meeting proposals are voted on only by representatives of the 179 schools member schools in attendance. Once a proposal is withdrawn, there can be no further discussion on the floor.
The Montana Family Foundation posted this reaction on Facebook:
INITIAL POST
“Simply put, it will allow boys to play on girls’ sports teams.” That’s what the Montana Family Foundation’s Jeff Laszloffy had to say following the Laurel School Board’s defeat of the newly proposed transgender student athlete proposal before the Montana High School Association (MHSA).
Click the link below for full audio from Laszloffy.
Listen to find out more on what you can do to stop the proposed MHSA Policy that could affect your daughters and… http://t.co/McKTPDc7hE
— MT Family Foundation (@Montana_Family) January 13, 2015
Laszloffy had this to say in the opening line of his latest podcast:
Do you want a 6’4″ 200 pound man spiking a volleyball at a Sophomore girl? Of course not, and last night the Laurel School Board voted to send that message to the Montana High School Association. For those who haven’t heard, the MHSA will consider a major policy change at their next meeting on Jan 19th in Kalispell. Simply put, it will allow boys to play on girls’ sports teams.
He added this about the meeting in Laurel via e-mail:
Last night’s school board hearing on transgender athletes was packed. Standing room only and only 1 person testified in favor of it. The superintendent also made an interesting statement. He said policies adopted it at the high school level are usually pushed down to the middle school level as well.
AP: MHSA to Vote on Policy for Transgender Athletes
The Montana High School Association is considering a policy that would allow transgender student-athletes to compete on the team that matches their gender identity.
The proposed policy would enable Montana teens who were born male but identify as female to compete in girls’ events and would allow those who were born female but identify as male to compete in boys’ events.
According to Concerned Women for America- Montana:
One hundred and seventy-nine school districts will be voting on this proposed policy; a 2/3 vote is needed for approval. This is serious for our children and the future of our state. There is already policy in place for a competitive discrimination free environment in our high schools. There has not been a complaint thus far, and if the MHSA begins making special conditions for one group, then it opens the door for many other things. Concerned Women for America of Montana is concerned about the unintended consequences becoming a safety issue, and we want to work to protect all Montana children and athletes. – See more at: http://www.cwfa.org/montana-high-school-association-transgender-policy-consideration/#sthash.ftMzIvkX.dpuf
CWA is also encouraging Montanans to contact their local school officials:
ACT: Please contact your local high school Superintendent and/or Athletic Director and request that they do not vote for this. Click here and go to page 15 of the directory (page 20 of the PDF) and scan down until you find your county and then local high school. – See more at: http://www.cwfa.org/montana-high-school-association-transgender-policy-consideration/#sthash.ftMzIvkX.dpuf
Take action and let your concerns be heard Montana High School Assoc Transgender policy to be voted on. #mtpol #mtleg http://t.co/jrcY3A1fey
— CWA Montana (@CWAofMontana) January 13, 2015
For those of you reacting to this story by saying, “Oh brother” (er…sister?)- here’s how it would work, according to KBZK-TV:
The proposal states: “The MHSA Executive Board shall designate criteria under which transgender student-athletes may request to participate in an activity sanctioned for a specific gender that differs from the student’s sex assignment at birth.”
The proposal by-law would set up an Identity Eligibility Application and a Gender Identity Eligibility Committee.