Across the country, schools and athletic associations are allowing biological males in girls’ sports—often without informing parents. Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes.
If you’re a parent who assumes you’d be notified before your daughter is expected to share a locker room with a biological male—or compete against one on the field—think again.
In schools and youth leagues across the country, policies around gender identity and sports inclusion are being quietly rewritten, often without public discussion, parent consent, or athlete input.
And what’s being left out of the conversation?
The girls.
Policies with No Debate
In many states, school districts have adopted gender inclusion policies based on recommendations from groups like the ACLU, GLSEN, and the Human Rights Campaign. These policies often:
- Allow athletes to choose sports and locker rooms based on gender identity
- Prohibit staff from informing parents if a student identifies as trans
- Discourage or discipline students and parents who object to sharing spaces with biological males
These changes are frequently implemented under the radar—buried in board minutes or added quietly to athletic handbooks.
Coaches and Staff Gagged
Many coaches and teachers are afraid to speak out—even when they disagree.
They’ve seen colleagues disciplined, publicly shamed, or even fired for:
- Referring to a student by biological pronouns
- Voicing concerns about fairness or safety
- Questioning administrative decisions behind closed doors
Some are forced to sign DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) pledges that require them to affirm policies they privately oppose.
The result? A culture of silence and fear.
Parents in the Dark
One of the most alarming aspects of this issue is how often parents are intentionally left uninformed.
In several documented cases:
- Girls were made to share changing facilities with male-bodied athletes without advance notice
- Parents weren’t told about new “gender inclusion” guidelines
- Complaints were dismissed or met with accusations of intolerance
One Virginia mother reported that her 14-year-old daughter was expected to compete against a trans-identifying male in volleyball—a high-impact sport—without ever being told in advance.
Her concern was met with silence from school officials.
Where Is the Oversight?
Local athletic associations often defer to national bodies like the NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) or the NCAA, which increasingly adopt gender identity over biological sex as the basis for eligibility.
These organizations frame the conversation around inclusion, but rarely consider the trade-offs—like injury risk, lost scholarships, or psychological discomfort for female athletes.
Accountability is practically nonexistent.
What Can Be Done?
Concerned parents and athletes aren’t powerless. Here’s what they’re doing:
- Attending school board meetings (even when inconvenient)
- Asking to review athletic policy documents in writing
- Running for school board seats themselves
- Forming local advocacy groups to push for sex-based protections
- Supporting organizations like Independent Women’s Forum, Parents Defending Education, and Save Women’s Sports
The key is shining light on what’s been kept in the shadows.
Closing Thought
This issue isn’t about division—it’s about due process, safety, and fairness.
Parents deserve to know. Girls deserve to speak. Coaches deserve to lead with integrity.
And no policy—no matter how “progressive”—should be above question.
Because when decisions are made in silence, the people who suffer most are those without a voice. And in too many schools today, that voice belongs to the girls who are told to smile, comply, and step aside.
