Article author:
Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah's High School Track and Field Association found that the parents of two girls who lost the competition were transgender.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the Utah High School Activity Association and its high school girls have determined, after reviewing school records dating back to kindergarten, that she is in fact female.
Association spokesman David Spatafore told lawmakers that the girl and her family were not informed of the investigation to avoid embarrassment and "to keep the matter confidential." he said, the Tribune reported on Thursday.
This fact came when at least 12 of her Republican-led states, including Utah, passed laws banning transgender women and girls from playing sports. Proponents of the ban say transgender girls have an unfair advantage because they are born stronger men and may refuse to join sports teams.
Utah Few states that have passed bans that have shown a potential competitive advantage in K-12 sports. That ban is being challenged in state court.
Spatafore said at Wednesday's legislative hearing on transgender athletes that the parents of his runner-up and his third-place finisher at last year's competition said they had been criticized after a girl won one competition. He said he had filed a complaint with the association. Wide margins," the Tribune said.
The girl's school investigated her high school grades and determined that she was registered as a woman. The Utah High School Association asked the school to "re-verify," and officials contacted her middle school and elementary school to review the files. Told. "She has always been a woman."
Spatafore refused to disclose the student's grade, school, or sport in order to protect the student's identity. He said he was not notified because it could be offensive to students and their families and that parents could be contacted "if necessary." It said the association had investigated other complaints involving transgender athletes in an effort to comply with Utah law that went into effect in July. Some complaints include "when athletes don't look feminine enough".No complaints confirmed.
MPs did not question the process at the hearing, the Tribune reported.
Before the ban, Utah had one transgender female athlete enrolled on a high school team last year, he said, Spatafore.
In a lawsuit, three transgender girls and their parents argued that an outright ban passed by the Republican-majority Utah legislature unjustified children's participation in sports. claims to hinder Their attorneys argue they violated provisions of the state constitution that prohibit discrimination and guarantee equal rights and due process.
