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Parents, students urge MMSD to oppose WIAA ban on trans female athletes
Summary
Multiple speakers at the Madison Metropolitan School District public comment period urged the board to resist enforcement of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association ban on transgender female athletes, citing harms to inclusion and student well‑being.
Several parents and students told the Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education Feb. 24 that the district should not comply with the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association’s recent ban on transgender female athletes.
One online commenter identified as Mushroom Ladik said, “I am a non binary youth, and I feel that taking away the opportunity for trans females to play in these sports games will exclude them and make it more exclusionary overall.” The speaker argued the change would “out people” and harm their sense of belonging.
Jamie Hawkins, a parent of two MMSD students, including a transgender child, thanked the board and superintendent for earlier statements promising inclusive environments and said the WIAA policy “denies transgender students access to these opportunities” and “deprives them of these benefits.” Hawkins urged the district to make a clear statement opposing the WIAA action and to continue supporting trans athletes locally.
Speakers framed the WIAA change as part of broader political pressure and asked the district to protect students’ physical and emotional well‑being. Several commenters cited Title IX and federal guidance in their remarks but did not identify a specific legal directive the district should follow.
Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard previously told the board the district is committed to creating safe, inclusive learning environments; board members did not take a vote on WIAA compliance during the meeting.
