Washington parents find their courage as girls walk off cross country course in protest of trans runner

Parents and supporters rallied outside a Washington state cross-country meet as girls continued protesting a transgender runner competing in the girls’ category. The dispute has drawn national attention and prompted parents to speak publicly about fairness in sport and the pressure they say they feel to stay silent.

More than 100 people attended the rally in Camas, where the runner placed second among 25 competitors and helped Camas win the district championship. The protest centred on Initiative 638, a measure due on Washington’s 3 November ballot that would require separation of male and female athletes in K-12 sports. Some parents said their daughters had walked off the starting line the previous week, while others described fears of backlash for speaking out.