Utah high school student-athletes were surveyed for gender after winning a state-level competition. A spokesperson for the Utah High School Activities Association confirmed to CBS News on Thursday, "Authorities have confirmed that the student has been listed as female since she entered kindergarten.
Spokesperson Dave" Spatafore confirmed an investigation that took place after the parents of the girls who won second and third place filed complaints through the UHSAA questioning whether the winners were assigned to be female at birth. . UHSAA officials confirmed that female athletes were eligible by checking student records from the current year back to kindergarten.
Spatafore said the association investigates all complaints it receives. "My parents were worried that there was no level playing field," he said.
To keep her identity hidden, authorities will not release the student's name, age, high school, or sports. According to Spatafore, the student and his parents were unaware "to his knowledge" that a complaint and investigation was taking place.
The news comes as states across the country continue to debate whether transgender student-athletes should be allowed to participate in the sports teams of their gender of choice. it was done. In Utah , the fight reached the governor's desk after Governor Spencer Cox rejected a controversial bill banning transgender student-athletes from participating in women's sports. Only a day later, Cox's veto was overruled by the state legislature, enacting the "Eligibility of Students in Interschool Activities" bill.
In his veto, Cox cited that he had only four transgender student-athletes in the state at the time. None, and he was the only one of them. she was a girl
"I'm no expert on transgenderism. I have a hard time understanding a lot of transgenderism and the science is contradictory. But when in doubt, always You are about to err on the side of kindness, mercy, compassion...compassion," Cox wrote to , explaining his decision. "In the event of a veto overriding event, I hope we can find a way to show these four children that we love them and have a place in our state." 30}
The bill was scheduled to take effect during the 2022-2023 school year beginning August 30 in Utah. However, according to theAssociated Press, the current lawsuitis seeking to stay the state's ban before it takes effect.
2022-2023 According to the UHSAA Handbook, transgender athletes are considered to be on the sports team of their choice. Allowed to play Eligible by schools, school districts, and UHSAA principals. Students seeking eligibility must submit several forms and requests, including a list of current medications and confirmation from a medical professional. A transgender girl must have completed at least one year of her hormone therapy before being allowed to play on the girls' team.
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