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Parent urges Pembroke to change athletic policy after girls lose qualifying spots to transgender competitor

Pembroke School Committee · January 14, 2026

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Summary

At the Jan. 13 meeting a parent, Christy Nelson, urged the school committee to revise athletic eligibility language to prioritize 'biological sex' after Pembroke female athletes lost qualifying spots when a biological male placed ahead of them at a meet; she cited research from the Journal of Applied Physiology and called on the district to petition the MIAA.

Christy Nelson of Burrough Street addressed the committee during public comment on Jan. 13 to describe a recent Northeast Invitational where a Pembroke female runner finished ninth after a biological male finished ahead of her, denying the Pembroke athlete advancement to finals. Nelson said the result affected her daughter and argued that collegiate recruitment opportunities hinge on qualifying times and finals attendance.

Nelson handed the committee material from the American Physiological Society and the Journal of Applied Physiology and summarized research she said shows biological males have physiological advantages: "Boys have 30 to 40% more muscle mass on average... they run 11% faster," she said, reading from the materials. She also referenced NCAA policy that, she said, prohibits male athletes from competing on female college teams, and asked the school committee to update district policy language to use the term "biological sex" rather than gender identity for athletic eligibility. "Protect our Pembroke girls today and for the future of them," she said, asking the committee to petition the MIAA to change rules to prevent biological males from competing in girls' sports.

Committee members thanked Nelson for bringing the concern to the public record; no committee action or formal response was recorded during the meeting. The matter was not debated nor was any follow-up motion or staff assignment recorded on the public docket during this session.

Status: The claim and policy request were entered into the public record; the issue remains unresolved pending any formal action or staff recommendation from the committee.