Oregon High School Athletes Share Their Encounters with Trans Inclusion in Sports

Oregon High School Athletes Share Their Encounters with Trans Inclusion in Sports

Oregon high school senior Alexa Anderson has emerged as a prominent activist against trans inclusion in sports, despite her family’s traditional Democratic roots. Anderson, a standout track and field athlete at Tigard High School, has voiced concerns regarding fairness in competition, particularly following her decision to refuse standing on the podium with a trans athlete during the state championship.

Teaming up with fellow medalist Reese Eckard, Anderson faced significant backlash after their act of defiance. Anderson recalled the immediate reaction they encountered, stating, “When Reese and I stepped down, there was definitely some confusion and anger surrounding our decision. It felt scary as many people were watching us on and off the field.” She noted that some spectators shouted at them, demanding to step aside.

The challenges did not end with the competition. Anderson shared that she received numerous negative messages from individuals who misinterpreted her stance. “Some people reached out, calling me a bad person,” she explained. “When I first received hate comments, I just brushed it off. I told them I respected their opinions, but I had to stand firm in my beliefs, knowing I had a strong support system behind me.”

Despite warnings from friends and coaches about potential repercussions, Anderson felt compelled to take a stand. Knowing she would compete against a trans athlete, she considered withdrawing from the event. However, she ultimately decided to go through with the competition and collaborate with Eckard on their podium protest.

This was Anderson’s first encounter with a trans athlete in a competitive setting, yet she felt it essential to advocate for the rights of other female athletes who have faced similar challenges. One such athlete is Lily Hammond, a junior at Glencoe High School. Hammond recounted her experience competing against a biological male who identified as a female. Initially unaware of her competitor’s gender identity, she felt shocked and betrayed after realizing the situation at the final meet of the season. “The sense of violation I experienced was profound, especially knowing that I had shared the locker room with someone I believed was a female,” Hammond stated.

Hammond has also encountered men using the girls’ restrooms at her school. She described her experiences with her swim team as “traumatic,” emphasizing the emotional toll caused by the lack of transparency in sports policy.

At the Chehalem Classic on April 18, other Oregon athletes like Maddie Eischen and Sophia Carpenter faced a similar dilemma, as they both were scheduled to compete against a trans athlete. Eischen revealed, “I learned about this just a day before the meet, leading to immense anxiety. I couldn’t compete knowing the circumstances and decided to withdraw, an experience that felt traumatic and unexpected.”

Carpenter found herself overwhelmed with emotion after the event, confessing she cried on the way home due to the intensity of the situation. She expressed that the emotional burden of competing against a trans athlete weighed heavily on her during the state championships. To make a statement, Carpenter wore a T-shirt from XX-XY Athletics, a brand that advocates for fairness in women’s sports.

Beyond merely voicing their concerns, the young women have indicated that their experiences will shape their political decisions in the future. They pointed out contrasting beliefs between candidates regarding trans inclusion in women’s sports during the most recent elections. “Looking at the candidates, one believed that biological males should compete in women’s sports while another promised change. These distinctions definitely influence how I will vote in the future,” Hammond mentioned.

Carpenter agreed, noting that constitutionally-grounded voting is essential. She underscored that the rights of women are fundamental and that current policies seem to overlook those rights in favor of male inclusion.

While the girls feel deeply affected by their individual experiences with trans athletes, they clarified that their grievances are aimed primarily at the lawmakers and educational authorities facilitating these policies. They believe the guiding principle should be fairness in women’s sports, which they feel need more robust support. Hammond expressed frustration, saying, “I believe faculty at my school and others have misled students, suggesting it is acceptable for individuals to identify differently without considering the implications for women’s sports.”

Oregon has become a focal point in the national debate over trans inclusion in sports, particularly due to its recognized prominence in track and field. The state, known as