Connecticut parents and students question transgender athletics policy

Two transgender high school athletes in Connecticut won state titles in girls track and field earlier this month and some parents are saying it’s unfair.

High school sophomores Terry Miller and Andraya Yearwood earned first and second place, respectively, in the 100-meter race at the State Open finals. They both were born male but now identify as female, according to published reports.

What was the response?

Parents have started a petition drive to demand the Athletic Conference (CIAC) change its policies so their daughters aren’t missing opportunities to win titles, the Hartford Courant reported.

Current policies are not fair, high school sophomore Selina Soule told the Courant. She finished sixth in the 100-meter State Open final.

“I think it’s unfair to the girls who work really hard to do well and qualify for Opens and New Englands [competitions],” Soule told the newspaper. “These girls, they’re just coming in and beating everyone. I have no problem with them wanting to be a girl.”

Some parents say policies should require athletes to compete in sports based on their birth gender, unless they have received hormone therapy.

Under CIAC rules, athletes can compete based on their self-identified gender. State laws would have to be changed before the policy could be altered, according to the organization.

What about winning and losing?

“The elephant in the room is when winning and losing comes into play,” CIAC executive director Karissa Niehoff told the Courant. “Folks will say it’s not about winning and losing. But when a situation rises to the forefront, it’s generally when there’s a situation involving winning and losing and it doesn’t feel good.

“We live in a world that should embrace everybody,” Niehoff continued “It’s tough enough to be a kid as it is, without bullying, regardless of what you identify as. It’s a cruel world we live in. But now it’s more about, ‘I’m coming in here and succeeding,’ which is great. But, wait, where did you come from? How did this happen? We live in a win and lose society and there are only so many opportunities you have to compete at the highest level whatever level you get to. And that’s what rankles people.”