Ten Years On, WIAA’s Transgender Policy Keeps Conversation Going

Seattle Times

Policies aren’t often written about.

They’re devised in a room, printed on paper, bound in a handbook or manual and many times aren’t thought about again. But one does merit mentioning for the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.

It was 10 years ago this spring the organization recognized a need for a policy involving gender identity to provide inclusion in its activities. The rule in the WIAA’s handbook under “Student Standards for Interscholastic Eligibility” was the first of its kind in the country for high-school sports.

“Washington prides itself on providing an opportunity that’s fair and consistent for our students,” said Mike Colbrese, the longtime WIAA executive director. “This policy is just one of the indications that we do that.”