Outkick Column: Washington Parents Rally at Camas District Meet as Initiative 638 Vote Nears
Columnist Matt Calkins reports 100 to 200 adults gathered outside Wednesday's meet where a male runner competed in the girls' race. Initiative 638 on the Nov. 3 ballot would require K-12 athletes to compete by sex at birth.
This post summarizes a column by Matt Calkins of Outkick, which is part of Fox News. It is written from a point of view. We have not independently confirmed the details.
The scene. Calkins writes that more than 100 adults, possibly 200, gathered outside Wednesday's Greater St. Helens League district meet in Camas, Washington. Many wore clothes calling for separate male and female sports. The runner at the center of the dispute started the season on the boys team at Camas High, switched to the girls team, and finished second out of 25 as Camas won the girls district title.
The ballot measure. The rally centered on Initiative 638, which goes to Washington voters Nov. 3. It would require K-12 athletes to compete according to their sex at birth.
The parents. Sarah Burns, whose daughter walked off the start line in protest last week, says she never planned to be an activist: "I was just a mom going to watch her daughter, and then we found out what was happening, and I couldn't not say something." Sarah Babb, whose daughter also left the line, says it has felt isolated, and that "it's hard to be the quiet majority." Calkins writes that many parents have been reluctant to speak even anonymously, with some fearing job loss.
The senior who quit. Calkins says Kate Westfall, the fastest girl on the team and last year's district winner, left the team earlier this month because she felt racing a boy was unfair. Her parents attended the rally to back her decision.
The other side. A woman named Stephanie, who declined to give her last name, told Calkins she opposes I-638. She said she believes it would require invasive exams and that the issue is size rather than sex. Calkins writes that she is wrong about the exams and says cheek swabs are an option. He responds that biology matters in every sport.
The author's point. Calkins argues that students have led the opposition so far and that adults are now catching up. He quotes advocate Amy Sousa: "If these girls are willing to stand up to their peers, I think adults can stand up to theirs."