Two Oregon House Republicans are urging the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) to revise its policy regarding transgender athletes' participation in girls' sports. In a letter released Monday afternoon, Representatives Dwayne Yunker (R-Grants Pass) and Ed Diehl (R-East Salem) called on OSAA President Peter Weber to limit female sports participation exclusively to biological females.
The lawmakers cited comments made by former President Donald Trump during a rally in Arizona on Sunday, where he pledged to end what he termed “transgender lunacy” and restrict transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. “These statements resonate with growing national and state-level efforts to defend competitive integrity and ensure safety in girls’ sports,” Yunker and Diehl wrote.
Citing Title IX and Safety Concerns
The letter argued that allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports violates Title IX, the federal law enacted to ensure equal opportunities in education and athletics. The legislators also referenced the case of Connecticut track athlete Selina Soule, whose lawsuit has become a focal point for national debate on the issue.
“The national spotlight on this issue, combined with Trump’s policy direction and cases like Soule, demonstrates the urgency of adopting clear policies to protect the integrity of girls’ sports,” Yunker and Diehl stated in their letter.
OSAA’s Stance and Legal Context
OSAA President Peter Weber has previously maintained that the organization's policies align with both federal and state anti-discrimination laws, including protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. In a statement earlier this year, Weber clarified that Oregon law explicitly prohibits discrimination based on gender identity, which is recognized as part of sexual orientation under state law.
Yunker and Diehl, however, claimed that "recent comments" from Weber suggested the OSAA may have the discretion to adjust its policies.
Central Oregon Daily News reached out to Weber for comment on Monday but received no response.
National Developments Add Pressure
The Oregon lawmakers’ request comes amidst a wave of national attention on the issue. On Sunday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, aiming to block transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. The lawsuit, filed in state district court in Lubbock, alleges that the NCAA misleads fans by allowing transgender athletes to participate, thereby violating Texas consumer protection laws.
NCAA President Charlie Baker recently testified in Congress, stating that fewer than 10 transgender athletes currently compete among the 544,000 athletes in NCAA sports nationwide.
Moving the Debate Forward
The issue of transgender participation in sports remains divisive, with advocates for transgender athletes emphasizing inclusion and opponents arguing for fairness and safety in female competitions. Yunker and Diehl’s letter underscores the broader cultural and political struggle playing out in Oregon and across the nation.
Source: Central Oregon Daily News
