Fair Play: Defending Girls’ Sports in American Schools

In recent years, schools across America have found themselves on the front lines of a divisive cultural issue: whether transgender-identifying students should be allowed to participate in school sports based on their gender identity rather than their biological sex. What was once a matter of biology and fairness has become politicized, polarized, and imposed without adequate input from parents or educators.

From elementary school gym class to high school varsity competition, the fundamental purpose of sports is to teach discipline, teamwork, character, and physical health. It’s also to provide students with a chance to compete on a level playing field. Title IX was established to ensure that girls and women have equal access to athletic opportunities. By design, that has always meant separating sports based on biological sex—because physical differences between males and females are undeniable, especially after puberty. Allowing male-bodied athletes to compete against girls in K–12 sports violates that principle and effectively rolls back decades of progress for women’s athletics.

No matter how one identifies, the biological differences between male and female bodies are clear and well-documented:

• Males typically have greater muscle mass and bone density.

• Males have larger hearts and lung capacity.

• Males often enjoy speed, strength, and endurance advantages.

These differences become especially pronounced in adolescence. Even with hormone treatments, many of these physical advantages remain. This is not opinion—it is medical fact. When biological males compete against females, the results speak for themselves. In many cases, girls lose not just races or matches—but scholarships, championships, and motivation. That is not equality. That is displacement.

Across the country, we’ve seen girls’ athletic achievements wiped out overnight by the inclusion of male-bodied athletes:

• In Connecticut, two male athletes identifying as female won 15 women’s state track titles that were previously held by nine different girls.

• In some wrestling and contact sports, biological females have been injured when forced to compete against stronger, heavier opponents.

• In locker rooms and team settings, girls have expressed discomfort and frustration—yet are often silenced for fear of being called bigots.

When schools prioritize ideology over reality, it’s girls who pay the price. Schools are supposed to be places where children grow in confidence, knowledge, and fairness. But when athletic policies are driven by activist pressure rather than thoughtful debate, schools lose sight of their core mission. The job of a school district is not to affirm every identity—it is to create a safe, fair, and focused learning environment for all students. That includes protecting girls' sports as a space for female achievement and growth, not forced ideological conformity.

Let’s be clear: advocating for single-sex sports in K–12 schools is not discrimination. It is common sense. It is science-based. And it is a vital safeguard for female athletes.

Every student deserves compassion and a chance to participate in school life. But fairness cannot be sacrificed to accommodate ideology. Reasonable, respectful policies include:

• Separate categories: Create co-ed or open categories for students who don’t fit traditional divisions, rather than eliminating sex-based teams.

• Protect girls' teams: Maintain biologically female-only categories in sports, consistent with Title IX.

• Transparency: Involve parents and communities in any policy changes through open discussion, not backroom mandates.

• Boundaries in privacy: Preserve single-sex locker rooms and facilities, especially for younger students.

These approaches uphold human dignity while preserving the integrity of youth athletics.

The debate over transgender athletes in K–12 sports is not just about wins and losses. It’s a reflection of deeper questions: Will we continue to prioritize fairness and biology in education, or will we allow ideology to override reality? Parents, school boards, and policymakers must speak up. The future of girls’ sports—and of common-sense education—depends on restoring clear boundaries, scientific integrity, and a commitment to protecting all children equally.

This issue is not about denying anyone their humanity. It’s about preserving fairness, safety, and equal opportunity for all students. When we blur the lines between biology and ideology, it’s not inclusion—it’s injustice, especially toward girls. If schools are to be centers of excellence and character, they must have the courage to say:

Biological sex matters.

Fairness matters.

Our daughters matter.