A Christian school in Vermont made headlines after it forfeited a girls’ basketball game due to the presence of a transgender player on the opposing team. Mid Vermont Christian School in Junction decided not to participate in the game against Long Trail School in Dorset, citing concerns over the fairness of the game and the safety of their players. The school’s head, Vicky Fogg, stated that “allowing biological males to participate in women’s sports sets a bad precedent for the future of women’s sports in general.”
The decision by Mid Vermont Christian School to forfeit the game has sparked a heated debate over the inclusion of transgender athletes in school sports. While some states have banned transgender youths from competing on sports teams that aligned with their gender identities, Vermont allows students to participate in school sports in a manner consistent with their gender identity. The Vermont Principals’ Association, the state’s governing body for school sports, has also stated that supporting transgender athletes is “a core part of building an inclusive community for each student to grow and thrive.”
Fogg’s statement has drawn criticism from advocates of inclusion in sports. Some argue that transgender athletes should be allowed to participate in sports that match their gender identity, while others believe that allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports gives them an unfair advantage. The debate over inclusion in sports is likely to continue as more schools and organizations grapple with the issue.
While the decision by Mid Vermont Christian School to forfeit the game has drawn attention to the issue of inclusion in sports, it has also raised concerns about discrimination against transgender students. Advocates argue that excluding transgender students from school sports sends a message that they are not valued or accepted in the school community. As the debate over inclusion in sports continues, it remains to be seen how schools and organizations will address the issue in a way that is fair and equitable for all students.