Arguing with the BOE

Okay. So. This is just waaaayyyyyy too long for Facebook, and – I suspect – for anyone to really follow along, but I find myself, once again, mired in controversy with the local community. There is an increasingly vocal and hate-filled contingent of parents who just totally clash with my liberal and progressive values. They have taken to bullying a student – a literal child – recently and I can’t take it. So our tale starts with my speaking at a BOE meeting:

Thank you for the opportunity to speak. I have been a nearly lifelong [county] resident and am a graduate of [high school]. I’m here as a concerned parent, deeply invested in the values of inclusion and respect for all our children. The recent discussions surrounding [other high school]’s volleyball team, particularly regarding a transgender student, have brought up significant concerns for me—not just about sports, but about the kind of community we want to foster.

I want to emphasize that every child deserves the right to participate in activities they love, regardless of their gender identity. This volleyball player has worked just as hard as any other athlete on that court, dedicating countless hours to practice, building teamwork, and striving for excellence. Her presence on the team is not an infringement on the rights of other female athletes; rather, it enriches their experience and promotes a more inclusive environment. Significantly, it is also protected by law.

The notion that biological differences create an unfair playing field is a complicated and nuanced topic. Sports have always involved variations in physical ability, and we must acknowledge that every athlete, regardless of gender, brings unique strengths and challenges. Inclusion doesn’t undermine the achievements of female athletes; it highlights the importance of recognizing diverse backgrounds and experiences.

The negative social media campaigns and calls for protests against this student are bullying and verge on hate crime. It is essential to remember that our words and actions have real consequences on young people’s lives. When we foster an environment of tolerance and support, we empower all students to thrive, both on and off the court.

As a community, we should be teaching our children about empathy, understanding, and the importance of standing up for one another. By supporting this athlete, we are teaching our kids that courage and authenticity are admirable traits, and that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity.

Let’s demonstrate to our children that we are committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive community, one that values every individual for who they are.

One of the self-appointed kings of bigotry spoke after me and “demanded” to know each of the board member’s personal stances on trans girls in sports. Most of the board members (wisely) declined to make a statement, but the board President used her closing remarks to spout some commonly held pieces of transphobic propaganda thinly veiled as “concerns.” So what does a loud-mouthed opinionated Mama Bear do? I fired off an email to Board President. And the rest of the board. And also the Superintendent.

Dear Mrs. Board President,

I am writing to express my deep frustration and disappointment with your closing remarks at the recent school board meeting. As a committed advocate for women’s rights, and as a parent deeply invested in the well-being and development of all students in our district, I am compelled to speak out. While I strongly believe in the importance of girls’ sports, I do not support policies that marginalize or exclude transgender students.

Excluding trans girls from participating in sports under the guise of “protecting” girls is not only harmful but perpetuates dangerous, outdated stereotypes. This misguided logic implies that every cisgender girl is inherently weaker, feeding into sexist assumptions that have historically undermined women in sports and beyond. Where do we draw the line? When does a girl become “too strong” or “too tall” to be considered feminine enough? These arguments diminish the accomplishments and potential of all female athletes.

Furthermore, the idea of a universal competitive advantage for trans girls is not supported by evidence. If we’re discussing fairness, we should acknowledge the true factors that create disparities in sports—access to better coaching, facilities, and resources. The small number of trans and intersex athletes have not shown any overwhelming dominance, and studies show that their inclusion does not negatively impact participation in girls’ sports.

In fact, in states with fully transgender-inclusive sports policies, participation among girls has remained stable. Conversely, in states with discriminatory policies, participation has decreased. It’s clear: these exclusionary policies do not protect girls; they harm them.

It’s critical to focus on the real issues of sex discrimination in sports, like the million fewer opportunities for high school girls compared to boys, the second-class facilities and equipment girls are often forced to use, the sexual abuse scandals, the gender pay gaps in professional sports, and the insufficient implementation of Title IX. Banning trans athletes does nothing to address these systemic issues.

Discrimination against transgender students is sex discrimination, plain and simple. Transgender, nonbinary, and intersex students have the right to fully participate in all aspects of their education—including sports—as their authentic selves. Title IX demands it.

Trans women and girls, and intersex women and girls, are women and girls. They deserve to participate fully in women’s sports, just like their cisgender peers.

I urge you to reconsider your stance and align our district’s policies with values of inclusion, fairness, and equality.

Thank you for your time and attention,

Sarah Ludwig

I have not yet received a response from Mrs. Board President. But one of the newest board members replied. And it just happens to be the board member that I already have tension with – who called out Bruno and who is in favor of book banning. We Do Not Like Her. Her response:

Good evening Ms Ludwig, 

You made a lot of interning [sic] points in your email. Can you please cite the evidence you are referencing when you state “the idea of a universal competitive advantage for trans girls is not supported by evidence”. Additionally the studies you refer to when you say “studies show that their inclusion does not negatively impact participation in girls’ sports.” I would also like to know what states and cases you are referencing when you say “In fact, in states with fully transgender-inclusive sports policies, participation among girls has remained stable. Conversely, in states with discriminatory policies, participation has decreased. It’s clear: these exclusionary policies do not protect girls; they harm them.” I am also curious about the systemic disparities you are referring to when you say “million fewer opportunities for high school girls compared to boys, the second-class facilities and equipment girls are often forced to use, the sexual abuse scandals, the gender pay gaps in professional sports, and the insufficient implementation of Title IX.” Can you please provide me with the specific systems that are in place? I’m also hopeful that you can point me to the section of Title IX that “demands” transgender, nonbinary, and intersex students participate in female sports?Lastly, I urge you to evaluate how fairness and equality can exist when a biological female, who’s [sic] DNA causes her to have a different bodily composition and higher fat to muscle ratio compete [sic] with a biological male.  I look forward to reviewing your sources so that I can further educate myself on this matter. 

In partnership, 

Hateful Mom for Bigotry*

*not her real name

I did not fix her formatting for this post. It was exactly that dense block of ignorance in my inbox. But you KNOW your girl did not send out imaginary statements without evidence to back it up, so I was MORE THAN HAPPY TO SEND RECEIPTS:

I am so happy to provide education and resources!
The assertion that transgender girls possess a universal competitive advantage in sports lacks definitive scientific support. While some studies suggest that transgender women may retain certain physiological advantages post-transition, the evidence is not conclusive, and the topic remains under active debate. 

• A 2019 review in the Journal of Medical Ethics discusses the complexities of transgender women in elite sports, highlighting both scientific and ethical considerations without reaching a definitive conclusion Journal of Medical Ethics
• The American Psychological Association notes that, despite concerns, there is no clear evidence indicating that transgender athletes have an unfair advantage in sports American Psychological Association
• This article discusses not only why trans people do not seem to have any advantage, and would require more evidence to conclude as such, but also that encouraging participation in sports is important, and ignored in favor of this issue Journal of Endocrine Society
• This article discusses why these ideas are flawed and more importantly why they’re dangerous, encapsulating the societal attempt to eradicate trans people Symposium: Gender, Health, and the Constitution
• Literature review does not support bans on transgender women athletes. The data negates the dominance argument. Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport

Studies indicate that the inclusion of transgender athletes does not negatively impact participation rates in girls’ sports. In some cases, states with inclusive policies have seen stable or increased participation among girls.

• Research from the Center for American Progress found that, in states with transgender-inclusive sports policies, participation among girls remained stable, whereas states with exclusionary policies experienced declines in girls’ participation
  Center for American Progress
• Trans girls actually create MORE opportunities for cis girls to play. The Washington Post

Despite progress since the enactment of Title IX, significant disparities persist in sports opportunities and treatment between genders.

• The Women’s Sports Foundation reports that, even today, girls miss out on an estimated 1 million high school sports opportunities compared to boys Womens Sports Foundation
• A 2022 study highlighted that, while high school girls’ sports participation has increased over the decades, it still hasn’t reached the same level as boys’ participation pre-Title IX FiveThirtyEight
• Title IX is not really evening the gap. Just Womens Sports and National Womens Law Center and, quite frankly, about a million other places
• Honestly, if you can’t see the evidence of sex abuse scandals and pay discrepancies, I can’t even help you. Do you have any experience in education or, in fact, general society, at all?

Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities, including sports. The U.S. Department of Education has clarified that these protections extend to transgender students, ensuring their right to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity.

• In June 2021, the U.S. Department of Education confirmed that Title IX protections include discrimination based on gender identity, reinforcing the rights of transgender students to participate in school sports U.S. Department of Education
• Discrimination against students because of transgender status or sex characteristics IS sex discrimination. Title IX at 50 Fact Sheet

If you actually care about protecting young women, you should take action to address the real issues these athletes face rather than lead a witch hunt for an already marginalized and at-risk population.

And that is where this saga stands. Is anyone still with me all the way down here? Have you read all of this? Do you care? I’ll keep you updated.