Four States Vote To Keep Biological Boys Out of Girls’ Sports

Despite the Democratic Party tsunami that engulfed reliably Republican states across the country, a majority of voters in four states agreed on one issue: Keeping biological boys out of girls’ sports.State referenda banning biological boys from girls’ sports passed in Arizona and Nebraska, and are ahead in counts in deep-blue Washington and Colorado.The apparent victory in Washington was sweet vindication for Joel Retzlaff, whose daughter Sierra walked off the field at a cross country meet in September rather than compete against a biological boy from another school.“Looking back, I never expected this to end up being what it has been. But I am ecstatic that it has paid off,” Joel Retzlaff said.In Washington, Amendment 638 would require school districts to prohibit biological male students from competing against female students. The students’ gender would be confirmed with a note from a healthcare provider. As of Friday, the amendment was up more than 300,000 votes out of more than 2.5 million ballots cast. Official counting was still underway.Voters in Nebraska, meanwhile, overwhelmingly approved Initiative 442, a state constitutional amendment that would similarly prohibit males from competing on female sports teams. The amendment would further require schools to designate male, female and coeducational sports teams.The measure passed with 68 percent of the statewide vote, and won majorities in every county. A similar initiative in Colorado, Proposition 134, was on track to pass, though with a narrower five-point margin.In Arizona, Proposition 318 included a provision that bans athletes from using restrooms that do not match their birth gender. Though Democrats won majorities in both houses of the Arizona legislature for the first time in 60 years, and the state re-elected Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, Proposition 318 passed by more than 400,000 votes.If Amendment 638 in Washington passes, it would not take effect for 30 days. Regional races are scheduled to be held in Pasco, Washington this weekend, and the Retzlaffs are expecting to see the boy from Camas High School who has been allowed to race on the girls’ team since September.“Frankly, I’m grateful for (the boy) that he had such great timing to bring this to the forefront,” he said, “right at the right time to get this bill passed, when I don’t know that it would have if it wasn’t for all of his participation in the current events in the last few weeks.”Sierra Retzlaff and her friend Charlie Garrett, one of the team captains, both race for Skyview High School. They intend to race this weekend rather than walk off as they did in mid-September.“I told my daughter the other day, I looked her straight in the face and I said, ‘you know what: your boldness in standing up in this time is probably what got this thing passed,’” Mr. Retzlaff said. “‘You and Charlie probably made this happen.’”“I’m so grateful for my daughter for being so bold to stand up to this to begin with, and kind of kick this off,” Mr. Retzlaff said.King County, which includes Seattle, voted against the amendment. But in most counties across the state, voters approved the measure by wide margins. “I’m grateful that the state of Washington has their head screwed on at least a little bit straight,” Mr. Retzlaff said.

Four States Vote To Keep Biological Boys Out of Girls’ Sports

Four States Vote To Keep Biological Boys Out of Girls’ Sports

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