Washington Passes Initiative 638 to Restrict Transgender Girls in School Sports
“Tonight, those girls see that well over a million Washingtonians stand with them and care that their sports are safe and fair,” said the conservative group Let’s Go Washington in an emailed statement, celebrating the early numbers.
A statewide ban on transgender students competing in girls’ school sports has passed in Washington with 56% of voters supporting the measure. The Associated Press called the race on Wednesday evening after determining the initiative had secured enough votes to pass.
The outcome makes Washington one of the first Democratic-led states to enact a restriction of this kind. For nearly two decades, the state maintained a policy allowing students to participate on teams aligning with their gender identity without requiring additional proof or documentation.
Washington Measure Mandates Medical Testing for All Female Athletes
Initiative 638 applies directly to sports regulated by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association. According to the association, roughly ten transgender children participate in school sports across the state.
Unlike restrictions in other states that rely solely on birth certificates to verify birth sex, the Washington measure requires all girls participating in sports to undergo medical testing before joining a team. This testing process involves a genital exam, a hormone test, or a chromosome test.
At least half of all U.S. states have implemented some form of restriction concerning transgender athletes in girls’ sports. Alongside Washington, similar measures are poised to pass in Colorado, Arizona, and Nebraska.
Supporters Point to Fairness While Opponents Raise Discrimination Concerns
Supporters of Initiative 638 argue that regulations are necessary to protect competitive fairness. They contend that transgender girls retain physical advantages in speed and strength, pointing to recent debates in communities like Camas after a cross-country runner switched from competing on a boys team to a girls team.
Opponents counter that the policy marginalizes transgender youth and imposes intrusive medical requirements on all female athletes. Campaign managers and advocacy groups warn that mandatory testing could deter girls from participating in athletics altogether.
“To all trans girls participating in school sports in Washington, we want you to know that you belong: on the field, on the court, on the team. We stand with you and will continue to fight for a day when you can play sports without controversy,” said Libby Watson, campaign manager for No Hate in WA State.
Watson described the outcome as a turning point for regional policy, calling the initiative a warning sign for future legislation affecting the LGBTQ+ community. Opponents are currently evaluating legal avenues to challenge the measure.
American Civil Liberties Union Plans Discrimination Lawsuits Against Ban
Lawyers with the American Civil Liberties Union have stated intentions to file discrimination lawsuits to block the ban. Meanwhile, state officials are preparing for the legal battles ahead.
Speaking at the Democratic Election Night Watch Party at Stoup Brewing on Wednesday, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown addressed the incoming litigation.
“It’s still early to see how those are going to end up, but my job as attorney general is to defend Washington state laws from challenges,” Brown said. “I assume there’ll be legal challenges to all those, but we’ll digest those once they come.”
