Rep. Matt Marshall: Initiative on girls’ sports deserves open debate

Rep. Matt Marshall, R-Eatonville, says a citizen initiative now officially before the Washington Legislature would protect fairness and safety in girls’ interscholastic sports — and he’s calling on the Democratic majority to hold a public hearing.

The initiative, known as the “Defending Equity in Interscholastic Sports Act,” would require school district and Washington Interscholastic Activities Association policies to keep biologically male students from competing in athletic activities that are designated for female students only and involve individual or team competition.

Marshall says hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians signed petitions urging lawmakers to act, and that kind of public support deserves an open process.

“When people show up in those numbers, the Legislature shouldn’t ignore them,” Marshall said. “At the very least, this deserves a hearing.”

Marshall says some critics have suggested the initiative would require new, invasive physical exams for student athletes. He said that’s not what the measure does.

“This initiative does not create a new invasive exam,” Marshall explained. “Students already need a routine sports physical to compete. The only new step is a signed statement from a health care provider verifying biological sex as part of that existing process.”

Marshall says his support is about protecting opportunities for girls and preserving what Title IX was intended to do.

“Girls shouldn’t lose out on roster spots, championships or scholarships,” Marshall said. “Title IX matters, and girls’ sports should stay fair.”

Marshall, a medical professional, said biological differences are real and can’t be wished away in competitive athletics.

“In medicine, we deal in facts,” Marshall said. “Biology matters in sports, and it matters for safety and fairness.”

Marshall says Democratic majority leaders have indicated they do not plan to hear the measure this session. He said lawmakers can disagree on the policy, but the public deserves to be heard.

“Let people testify,” Marshall said. “Let lawmakers debate it in the open. Then vote.”

Marshall encouraged Washingtonians to contact House and Senate majority leaders and ask them to schedule hearings on the initiative.

What the Legislature can do when an initiative is sent to lawmakers

Under Washington law, once an initiative qualifies and is transmitted to the Legislature, lawmakers have three formal options:

  • Adopt the initiative as written.
  • Reject the initiative or take no action.
  • Adopt an alternative measure addressing the same subject.

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov