(The Center Square) – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association voted to adjust its rules to only allow students designated as female at birth to compete in girls competitions.
A student who was designated a female at birth but has begun testosterone hormone therapy can practice but not compete for a girls team. A student who was designated a male at birth is allowed to practice but not compete with a team that matches the student’s gender identity.
The WIAA Board of Control took the vote after the NCAA took a similar vote to align itself with an executive order from President Donald Trump. The NCAA policy is being questioned for loopholes.
“Working in consultation with legal counsel, our board updated this policy to ensure clarity is provided to our membership as they work to comply with new federal guidance from the White House,” the association said in a statement.
Trump recently signed the executive order “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” Boys who say they are girls, per the order, can’t compete in female sports events in schools and colleges that receive federal tax dollars. The directive fulfills a Trump pledge made during his 2024 presidential campaign.
The association changes ended the organization’s Transgender Participation Policy, which began on June 20, 2013.
Any student, regardless of sex assigned at birth, can compete in the association’s boys sports.
The WIAA is an organization comprised of the state’s public and private schools that organizes high school athletics in the state and enforces the rules for all events including regular season, postseason, exhibitions and scrimmages.
The National Federation of State High School Associations has yet to make changes based upon Trump’s executive order. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit does not directly receive federal money.
