Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Board Says Abiding by Trump Transgender Policy Would Violate State Law

WIAA communications director Sean Bessette recently issued a statement saying that abiding by the Trump Administration’s transgender law would violate the state’s inclusion laws.

“The WIAA has been told by the Attorney General’s office, the Office for Civil Rights, and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction that proposed amendments ML/HS #7 and ML/HS #8 would be a violation under current Washington state law, affirming our attorney’s legal review,” Bessette said.

“The WIAA remains committed to following state law, and those amendments focused on gender-identity participation would not be implemented on August 1 if they were to pass under current state law,” he said. He added that “If state law were to change, the WIAA’s Executive Board has the authority and would need to alter the Association’s rules accordingly.”