Montana’s governing body for high school athletics is considering a policy that would create a pathway for transgender student-athletes to compete on the team that matches their gender identity.
The policy proposed by the Montana High School Association would enable Montana teens who were born male but identify as female to compete in girls’ events, and would allow those who were born female but identify as male to compete in boys' events.
“The MHSA allows all students, regardless of gender identity or expression, the opportunity to participate in a safe, competitive environment free of discrimination,” the proposed policy states.
Such language would follow the lead of high school associations in at least 33 other states, said Mark Beckman, MHSA executive director. It would also align with NCAA policy and recent federal guidance on Title IX, the law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in activities at schools receiving federal funds.
The policy would apply to the association’s 179 public and private member schools, Beckman said.