The Walkout at Camas
A dozen or more Camas High School girls walked off a cross-country race rather than run against a transgender teammate. Two weeks before Washington votes on I-638, here's what happened and what the measure would do.
By Claire Hollister, Politics and Policy
Published · 3 min read
The Overview
The facts, straight
On Tuesday, Oct. 13, during a Camas High School dual meet against Battle Ground, a group of Camas girls walked off the course rather than race against a transgender student who had started the season on the boys' team and moved to the girls' team, KATU reported. The Columbian reported that more than a dozen runners walked the first 50 meters before leaving the course; Clark County Today put the number at 12. Radio Purple is not naming any of the students involved; they are minors.
The Camas School District said it follows state guidelines. The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (@wiaawa) told KATU its gender-identity rules "have been in place for 20 years, since the 2007-08 school year," and that it follows state law (RCW 28A.642.010), which "permits student-athletes to participate in sports consistent with the gender with which they identify."
On Nov. 3, Washington voters decide Initiative 638. It would bar students it defines as biologically male from girls' interschool competitions and require verification of biological sex from a health care provider, MyNorthwest reported. It is backed by Let's Go Washington (@letsgowa).
What the Left Says
The progressive and Democratic case
Opponents, including Gov. Bob Ferguson (@GovBobFerguson), urge voters to reject it, The Seattle Times reported. The paper's editorial board, recommending a no vote, warned the measure could subject girls to invasive, privacy-violating sex checks, the Times wrote. State schools chief Chris Reykdal (@chrisreykdal) has said Washington will keep enforcing its law unless Congress or the courts change it, the Washington Times reported.
Where Reality Likely Sits
Radio Purple's analysis
Both sides say they want fairness and privacy for girls. The disagreement is about whose fairness and whose privacy. Voters now get to decide, and whatever the result, the students on that course deserve to be treated with respect by adults on every side.
How will you vote on I-638?
What the Right Says
The conservative and Republican case
Supporters say the walkout shows girls are being asked to compete on an uneven field and that the state is not listening. Let's Go Washington says the measure requires nothing beyond the existing sports physical, Seattle Red reported. The district has said the runners will not be punished. "Students who chose to walk off the course during the October 13 meet will not face disciplinary consequences," a district spokesperson told Clark County Today. Superintendent John Anzalone told OutKick the protest "was peacefully done," and that as long as WIAA policy allows the student to run, "we're going to follow the policy."
