San Francisco, CA – The inclusion of transgender athletes in high school sports has become a hot topic of debate in recent months, with incidents sparking discussions about fairness and safety. One notable situation occurred during a girls’ volleyball tournament on October 12 at Aragon High School in San Mateo.
At this tournament, tensions rose when fans from Notre Dame Belmont booed and harassed a transgender player from their opposing team, Half Moon Bay. In response, Aragon’s athletic director, Steve Sell, informed Notre Dame officials that there might be consequences for the behavior of their fans. He indicated that this wasn’t an isolated incident, as Notre Dame had previously canceled a scheduled game against Half Moon Bay due to concerns about the transgender player.
Sell, who also co-chairs the Peninsula Athletic League, expressed his worries about the current environment for transgender girls in sports. He stated, “Right now, it’s incredibly scary. Quite frankly, I’m a little frightened for the kids, for trans girls,” highlighting the emotional toll this issue may have on students who just want to participate fully in school activities.
The ongoing debate not only affects local teams but is part of a larger conversation happening across the United States. While there are arguments regarding potential advantages or safety concerns for cisgender players, Sell noted that female college teams often practice with male athletes without fearing for their safety.
He emphasized that while the risk is not zero, the current safety arguments against trans girls participating in sports do not hold up well. “The safety argument to me is not terrific,” he explained. He believes inclusion should be the default unless there is concrete evidence to warrant exclusion in specific situations.
With both federal law and California’s regulations advocating for equal participation rights based on gender identity, the future of transgender athletes in competitive sports remains uncertain. The situation continues to evolve, and advocates are hoping for a respectful dialogue surrounding this sensitive issue, aiming to create a safe and inclusive environment for all student-athletes.
