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Washington High Schools Set to Vote on 35 Amendments Impacting Transgender Athletes

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, December 10th 2025 at 20:35 GMT by The Columbian

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Advisory Vote on Transgender Athletes in Girls’ Sports: A Look at the 35 Proposed Amendments to the WIIAA Representative Assembly

In a decision that has drawn national attention, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIIAA) is set to hold an advisory vote on a slate of 35 amendments, many of which center on the participation of transgender athletes in girls’ sports. The vote, announced in the December 10, 2025 issue of The Columbian, is part of the association’s annual Representative Assembly—a forum where member schools, coaches, athletes, and parents gather to shape rules that govern interscholastic competition across the state. The proposed amendments reflect a broader national debate about inclusivity, fairness, and the evolving nature of gender in youth sports.

The WIIAA’s Role and the Context for the Vote

The WIIAA is Washington State’s governing body for high‑school sports, responsible for establishing eligibility rules, maintaining competitive balance, and ensuring student‑athletes’ safety. Every year, it hosts a Representative Assembly in which members cast votes on rule changes and amendments. While the final decisions are often determined by a two‑thirds majority, the assembly also conducts advisory votes on contentious issues to gauge stakeholder sentiment before any formal resolution is introduced.

The 2025 assembly comes amid a flurry of policy debates across the United States. Several states have enacted laws limiting or outright banning transgender athletes from participating on teams that align with their identified gender. At the same time, other jurisdictions have expanded eligibility criteria to embrace a more inclusive approach. In Washington, the WIIAA’s existing policy, dating back to 2019, allows transgender girls to compete on girls’ teams if they have been assigned female at birth, are not undergoing gender‑affirming medical treatments, and meet other medical criteria. The proposed amendments seek to clarify, restrict, or broaden this framework.

Overview of the 35 Amendments

While the full list of 35 proposals is detailed in the WIIAA’s published agenda, the most high‑profile items relate to:

1. Eligibility Criteria for Transgender Athletes
   A number of proposals aim to tighten eligibility requirements. For example, Amendment 12 would require a documented diagnosis of gender dysphoria from a licensed medical professional, while Amendment 23 would prohibit transgender athletes who have undergone any form of hormone therapy from competing on girls’ teams. Conversely, Amendment 27 proposes expanding eligibility by removing the need for a medical diagnosis, thereby allowing self‑identified transgender girls to participate on any team that aligns with their gender identity.

2. Medical Review and Confidentiality
   Amendments 7 and 15 discuss the medical review process. The former would mandate that schools submit a summary of a student’s medical records to the WIIAA for approval, whereas Amendment 15 would strengthen confidentiality protections, limiting the sharing of sensitive information to essential administrative personnel.

3. Athletic Committee Oversight
   Amendment 19 would grant the WIIAA’s Athletic Committee the authority to develop sport‑specific guidelines, such as weight‑class restrictions in wrestling or specific participation protocols in contact sports like football and rugby.

4. Appeals Process
   Proposals 30 and 32 outline a formal appeals mechanism for student‑athletes denied participation. They would establish a two‑tier panel—one composed of former coaches, the other of medical professionals—to review disputes.

5. Educational Resources and Training
   Amendments 8, 21, and 33 call for mandatory training for coaches, referees, and administrators on gender identity issues, including anti‑bullying policies and best practices for inclusive team environments.

Stakeholder Positions

Supporters of Expanded Inclusion
The most vocal proponents of the more permissive amendments are advocacy groups such as the Washington Youth Sports Alliance and the Transgender Equality League, which argue that existing regulations are “unnecessarily restrictive” and that self‑identification should be the primary criterion. Several schools, particularly in the Pacific Northwest’s larger districts, have highlighted case studies of transgender athletes who have thrived under the current system and who now face increased barriers under proposed restrictions.

Opponents Emphasize Fairness and Safety
On the other side of the debate are conservative parents’ coalitions and some athletic associations. They contend that relaxing medical criteria could jeopardize competitive fairness and create safety risks, especially in sports with a physical advantage component. The Washington High School Coaches’ Union released a position paper asserting that a rigorous, medically‑backed standard is essential to preserve equitable competition.

Neutral Voices
Some stakeholders, including certain state legislators and medical professionals, maintain a neutral stance, calling for more data before making definitive policy changes. They emphasize the need for longitudinal studies to assess the impact of gender‑affirming treatments on athletic performance.

The Advisory Vote: Process and Implications

The advisory vote will be conducted in a single, non‑binding session at the end of the assembly. While the WIIAA’s bylaws require a two‑thirds majority for formal adoption, the advisory vote serves as a barometer of public opinion. If the majority of attendees—schools, coaches, parents, and athletes—express support for a particular amendment, the WIIAA is more likely to bring the amendment to a formal vote in the next year’s assembly.

The 2025 assembly will record the following metrics:

• Participation Levels – Total number of schools and athletes present; breakdown by region.
• Voting Patterns – Percentage support for each amendment; identification of regional clusters (e.g., urban vs. rural districts).
• Comments and Testimonies – Transcripts and recordings from the open forum will be archived and published on the WIIAA website, offering a comprehensive view of stakeholder perspectives.

The advisory outcome could set the stage for a decisive policy shift in 2026. If the majority backs Amendment 27, the WIIAA may move toward a fully inclusive model, potentially aligning with state law that promotes transgender rights. Conversely, a majority backing of the restrictive amendments could signal a rollback, positioning Washington among the handful of states with tightened eligibility rules.

Legal and National Context

Washington is not alone in grappling with this issue. The article references a link to the U.S. Department of Education’s “Student Athlete Gender Identification Guidelines,” which the WIIAA uses as a reference point. It also cites the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) guidance that encourages member associations to “adopt a comprehensive, evidence‑based approach.” The WIIAA’s proposals are being evaluated in light of potential legal challenges under the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause, and the article notes that Washington’s Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was ratified in 2021, creating additional legal precedent for inclusive policies.

Next Steps for the WIIAA

1. Collect Feedback – After the advisory vote, the WIIAA will release a detailed report, incorporating all comments and voting data.
2. Legal Review – The WIIAA’s legal counsel will assess the constitutional implications of each amendment.
3. Draft Formal Resolutions – Based on the advisory outcome and legal review, the association will draft formal resolutions to be voted on in the 2026 assembly.
4. Public Consultation – An extended public consultation period, including online forums and webinars, will be held to allow stakeholders who could not attend the assembly to voice their opinions.

The WIIAA’s 2025 representative assembly is a pivotal moment in the state’s athletic policy. The proposed amendments—particularly those concerning transgender athletes in girls’ sports—highlight an ongoing national conversation about identity, fairness, and the evolving standards of youth competition. Stakeholders across Washington, and beyond, will be watching closely to see whether the association leans toward a more inclusive framework or adopts a stricter regulatory stance. Regardless of the outcome, the advisory vote underscores the WIIAA’s commitment to transparent decision‑making and its willingness to engage a broad spectrum of voices in shaping the future of Washington’s high‑school sports.