A Christian prep school in Vermont forfeited a playoff girls basketball game in the state championship tournament after discovering the opposing team had a transgender player on the roster.
Mid Vermont Christian School (MVCS) girls basketball team, the Eagles, were set to play against the Long Trail Mountain Lions in the fourth game of the playoffs last Tuesday before the Christian school dropped out of the game and lost its place in the tournament.
‘The Eagles’ forfeit sent Long Trail to the quarterfinals Friday against No. 4 seed Arlington,” local outlet Valley News reported.
Head of School Vicky Fogg argued that it was unfair and unsafe for the high school girls to play against a biological male on the opposing team.
‘We withdrew from the tournament because we believe playing against an opponent with a biological male jeopardizes the fairness of the game and the safety of our players.
‘Allowing biological males to participate in women’s sports sets a bad precedent for the future of women’s sports in general,’ Fogg said in a statement to Fox News.
‘Allowing biological males to participate in women’s sports sets a bad precedent for the future of women’s sports in general.’
However, State law prohibits discrimination against student athletes because of their gender identity and says any disputes over students’ participation on sports teams that don’t match their biological gender must be considered on a case-by-case basis.
‘Transgender and gender nonconforming students are to be provided the same opportunities to participate in physical education as are all other students.
‘Generally, students should be permitted to participate in physical education and sports in accordance with the student’s gender identity. Participation in competitive athletic activities and sports will be resolved on a case-by-case basis,’ the Vermont Agency of Education’s best practices reads.
The agency also advised that transgender students should not be required to use the bathroom or locked room ‘that conflicts with the student’s gender identity.’
