WA schools chief dismisses girls' sports fairness concerns, says athletes' brains aren't fully developed
Summary
Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal defended allowing transgender students to compete according to their gender identity during a radio interview about Initiative 638, a Nov. 3 ballot measure that would bar biological males from K-12 girls’ sports. He said students can either compete or walk off to protest. The discussion followed a Camas High girls’ cross-country protest involving a runner who switched from the boys’ team midseason. The column argues that the policy compromises fairness and criticizes Reykdal’s emphasis on inclusion and adolescent development.
Watchmen Signals
Biblical Context
The dispute touches two biblical themes identified by the reported facts: the distinction between male and female and the obligation to use honest, impartial standards. Genesis 1:27 presents humanity as created male and female, and Mark 10:6 refers to that created distinction; these passages provide a theological framework relevant to arguments about sex, although neither addresses transgender identity or school athletics specifically. Leviticus 19:35-36 and Deuteronomy 25:13-16 condemn deceptive or unequal measures. Applied cautiously, those texts support concern for truthful and consistent standards in competition, but they do not by themselves determine Washington’s legal policy or settle every medical and administrative question involved. Scripture also requires fair treatment without partiality, so opposition to a policy should not become contempt for individual students. The article reports disagreement over fairness and inclusion, not a prophetic event or identifiable prophetic pattern.
Biblical Sources
Scripture references supporting the biblical context above.
Prohibits the use of differing weights and measures and connects honest standards with what is right before God. The connection to athletic eligibility is an application by analogy, not a direct ruling on sports policy.
Describes humanity as created in the image of God as male and female, providing a biblical framework relevant to the article’s dispute over sex distinctions, while not directly addressing modern sports eligibility.
Commands honest and just standards in measurement and condemns deceptive measures. This materially relates by principle to the article’s concern about fair and consistently applied competitive standards.
Jesus refers to humanity’s creation as male and female. The passage supports consideration of the male-female distinction but does not establish a specific policy for transgender participation in athletics.
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