RENTON, WA – The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) has rejected two proposed amendments that would have changed eligibility rules for transgender athletes in high school sports.

The rejected proposals, introduced by several school districts including Lynden, Mead, and Colville, aimed to restrict transgender girls from participating in girls’ sports. One proposal called for a complete ban, while the other sought to establish an “open” division for transgender and nonbinary athletes.

The WIAA’s decision means that the current policy—established in 2007 and aligned with Washington’s anti-discrimination laws—will remain in effect. This policy allows students to compete in accordance with their gender identity, rather than the gender assigned to them at birth.

These proposals gained traction following public debate over the participation of Veronica Garcia, a transgender high school athlete from Spokane’s East Valley High School, who won the 400-meter dash at the state championship in 2024. Critics of her participation claimed an unfair competitive advantage, fueling renewed efforts to change the WIAA rules.

However, advocacy groups and civil rights organizations, including the ACLU of Washington, strongly opposed the proposed changes. They argued that such amendments would single out transgender youth and violate the state’s legal protections against discrimination.

In a statement, the WIAA reiterated its legal obligations and stated that any future rule changes would be considered carefully and with input from various stakeholders. The association emphasized the importance of providing a fair and respectful environment for all student-athletes.