Parents sue to stop Washington state trans sports ban that could require ‘invasive’ genital exams

Parents of transgender and cisgender girls in Washington state have sued to block Initiative 638, which bars transgender girls from girls’ sports teams. They argue the measure discriminates against girls and violates students’ privacy, warning that its verification rules could deter girls from playing sport.

Passed by voters last week, the measure requires girls to provide medical documentation of their sex before joining school teams, using hormone or genetic tests or examinations of reproductive anatomy; it does not apply to boys. School officials have said they know of about 10 transgender student athletes among 200,000 statewide. The ban covers elementary, middle and high schools and is due to take effect on 3 December; Seattle’s school board has also backed legal action.