Politics

Washington Approves Measure Requiring Transgender Girls to Verify Biological Sex for School Sports

By Sam Levin

Voters in Washington state approved a ballot measure that bars transgender girls from participating in girls’ school sports. The measure, Initiative 638, requires students in elementary, middle, and high school who wish to join girls’ athletics to submit statements from healthcare providers that confirm their “biological sex.” Opponents warn that the rule could force girls to undergo invasive genital examinations to play sports. The initiative passed with nearly 57% support as of Thursday morning, though votes were still being counted. More than 25 U.S. states have enacted similar bans on trans youth athletes, largely through Republican‑led legislation. Arizona and Nebraska also approved comparable measures this week, and a Colorado ban was leading in early results but not yet decided. Conservatives and anti‑LGBTQ+ groups argue the bans protect “fairness” in women’s athletics, while civil rights advocates say the policies are discriminatory and unnecessary, targeting a small group of students already facing prejudice. The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association noted earlier this year that only about 10 trans middle and high school athletes were known statewide, compared to over 200,000 students competing. Washington has allowed trans students to play on teams matching their gender identity for nearly two decades. Critics say the ban subjects all girls to harmful scrutiny, with opponents warning it could force tens of thousands of Washington girls each year to undergo invasive, embarrassing, and potentially harmful exams. More than 140 healthcare providers issued a statement opposing the measure. Seattle‑based pediatric nurse Kelsey Gellner said, “I tell my kids and patients that my No 1 job is to keep them safe. I can say with confidence that girls do not want to have an unnecessary exam that creates an unsafe barrier.” The initiative was introduced in 2025 by the political action committee Let’s Go Washington, founded by hedge fund manager Brian Heywood. It is considered the most restrictive of the four trans youth sports bans on state ballots this year, mandating that girls prove their sex through hormone or genetic tests or genital examinations. The measure applies only to women’s sports; boys are not required to undergo similar procedures. Medical professionals criticized the measure for not allowing doctors to rely on birth certificates to confirm eligibility. Spokane family physician Libby Loft said, “I have to examine someone’s reproductive anatomy – that seems inappropriate to me for a sports physical.” Loft also noted that sex‑verification requirements create additional barriers for girls, who are already twice as likely as boys to drop out of sports by age 14. She added, “I don’t see this as a way to level the playing field for girls, and we’re making a villain out of trans girls who are children.” Civil rights advocates argue the ban is unconstitutional, violating students’ privacy and equal‑protection rights. The initiative is scheduled to take effect in December, though it may face legal challenges.