The Alaska Board of Education has officially approved a ban on biologically male athletes competing in girl’s high school sports, passing a new regulation on Wednesday which will apply to all Alaskan public schools competing under the Alaska School Activities Association.
Unsurprisingly, the primary concerns raised by several board members revolved around safety and questions of fairness.
“I am convinced there is a physiological difference for sure. I think there’s some unfairness. I think the federal law at present. Protects women’s sports,” said board member Jeff Erickson
The regulation will amend the Alaska Administrative Code, which now stipulates that schools under the Alaska School Activities Association shall administer interscholastic activities in a manner that; “ensures fairness, safety, and equal opportunity for female students in high school athletics by providing, in consideration of responses to a school survey under 4 AAC 06.520, that if a separate high school athletics team is established for female students, participation shall be limited to females who were assigned female at birth; in this subparagraph, “athletics” means competitive or contact sports, as determined by the association.”
Executive Director for the ASAA, Billy Strickland, simplified the role of transgender female athletes going forward, and where their participation will be permitted, “So, a transgender female would now be playing in the non-limited Division.”
Currently, 19 states have similar active bans on biological males competing in girls’ sports, not permitting athletes to compete in sports based on their gender of choice.
In March the Alaska Board of Education passed a resolution expressing support for the AAC amendment. Since, the issue has been hotly contested throughout the state, and by multiple borough’s education boards. In July, a divided Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly adopted a resolution in support of the state board’s proposed regulation. During that meeting, multiple members of the assembly, as well as residents of the peninsula, voiced their opinions. Ultimately, the resolution – sponsored by assembly member Richard Derkevorkian – passed by a vote of 6-2, the “no” votes being cast by assembly members Lane Chesley (District 9 – Homer), and Cindy Ecklund (District 6 – East Peninsula).
In a public statement, Governor Mike Dunleavy voiced his support of the state board’s decision, “Thank you to the State Board of Education for acting to protect the opportunity for girls to participate in High School sports in a division that is safe, fair, and competitive.”
The new regulation was adopted by a unanimous vote.
*Audio clips courtesy of Alaska’s News Source.